Healthcare Rights of Conscience

 

Wheaton College v. Sebelius - The Center filed an amicus brief in support of Wheaton College and Belmont Abbey College in their joint challenge to the "HHS Mandate."  The Mandate is a federal regulation that requires employers to provide insurance coverage for Plan B and ella, which many regard as abortion-inducing drugs.  While the Mandate exempts some "religious employers," the exemption is so narrow that these religious colleges do not qualify as "religious employers." - October 15, 2012 Read More >>

S.1467 - Also known as Amendment #1520 to S. 1813, Amendment #1520 is the "Respect for Rights of Conscience Act." The amendment would amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the 2010 health reform law) to protect rights of conscience.  The amendment provides that mandated health plans need not include coverage for items or services contrary to the religious beliefs of the issuer, purchaser, or beneficiary of the plan.  The amendment also allows health plans to safeguard healthcare providers’ rights of conscience. Please contact your senators to urge them to (1) ask Senator Reid to allow a vote on Amendment #1520 to S.1813 and (2) cosponsor and vote "yes" on Amendment #1520 to S. 183. - February 15, 2012

The President announced on February 10, 2012 that the Administration's previous policy would be modified by issuance of some future regulations.

The Obama Administration's refusal to reconsider its policy to coerce faith-based institutions to pay for abortion-inducing drugs - January 20, 2012

CLS and 62 other religious organizations sent a letter to President Obama asking that the federal government re-think its inadequate exemption for religious employers in the new federal health insurance regulations. The current definition fails to protect most faith-based ministries from having to provide insurance that covers abortion-inducing drugs. 

The Department of Health and Human Services explicitly broadened "preventive services" to include mandated coverage of contraceptives, including abortion inducing drugs - August 3, 2011.

HR 1179 - Amendment to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (March 21, 2011) (bill to ensure that the 2010 health reform law will not force religious healthcare providers to provide abortions or other procedures in violation of conscience).

Letter from CLS, et al., to the House Judiciary Committee regarding health care workers' rights of conscience.

"A Step Backward for Freedom of Conscience" (March 1, 2011 article by Professor Michael McConnell on the Obama Administration's partial rescission of the Bush Administration's regulations regarding health care workers' rights of conscience.)

Department of Health & Human Services' Regulations adopted by the Bush Administration in 2009 to protect conscience rights of healthcare professionals; the Obama Administration recsinded in 2011 and replaced with these Regulations.

Comments of CLS and Fellowship of Christian Physician Assistants on the Department of Health & Human Services' Provider Conscience Regulations, 73 Fed. Reg. 50274-50285 (September 25, 2008)

Proposed Answer of Christian Medical Association, et al., in Connecticut v. U.S. (U.S. District Court of Conn.)

CLS amici curiae brief in Baxter, et al.,  v. Montana (Mont. Supreme Court)

CLS amici curiae brief in Stormans v. Selecky (9th Circuit)

 

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