Unless you've been ignoring all forms of the media, you may have heard about the Obama administration's new mandates which will require all insurance providers, including those maintained by religious organizations, to provide coverage for birth control and certain abortifacients. The response has been understandable outrage from Catholic organizations who have a moral opposition to the matter.
Now, most people have been focusing on the Catholic church and their moral opposition to abortion / birth control. A writer at NRO took the analogy one step further by stating that "We're All Catholics Now." But, this is missing the point. It is not only Catholics who oppose the use of abortifacients or birth control that can be used for such practices. It is not only Catholic organizations potentially impacted by these new guidelines. Guidestone Financial Resources, who provide health insurance for much of the Southern Baptist Convention, is another example. They oppose the measure. Here's an excerpt from Baptist Press.
GuideStone Financial Resources, which provides health insurance coverage and other services to more than 200,000 people, expressed strong opposition Monday (Feb. 6) to the new federal rule, especially its failure to provide adequate conscience protections.
"This encroachment of religious freedom is blatant and outrageous and should be taken seriously by those of us who are part of the body of believers, as well as by others who respect and regard this nation's history and constitutional foundation," GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins said in a written statement.
Under final guidelines announced Jan. 20, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said the controversial 2010 health care reform law would require health plans and insurers to provide no-cost coverage of contraceptives and sterilizations as preventive services. The "contraceptive mandate," as it has become known, requires all methods approved as birth control by the Food and Drug Administration to be included in a range of services offered to patients free of charge. Those FDA-endorsed contraceptives include ones that have abortion-causing properties -- emergency contraception, such as Plan B; the intrauterine device (IUD); and "ella."
The HHS rule includes an exemption for employers who oppose paying for such coverage on religious grounds, but critics say the religious exemption is too narrow. While it will protect many churches and other houses of worship, it does not appear it will cover all. The exemption also will not extend to such faith-based organizations as schools, hospitals and social service programs.
We must all stand together to oppose these measures. You should not force religious institutions to pay for services they are morally against. Period.
