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WASHINGTON (CNA/EWTN NEWS)—Attorneys general from a dozen states say they intend to sue over the Obama administration’s contraception mandate that requires many religious employers to violate the teachings of their faith.
In a Feb. 10 letter, the attorneys general voiced their “strong opposition” to the mandate, which they called “an impermissible violation of the Constitution’s First Amendment virtually unparalleled in American history.”
They said that if the mandate is implemented, they are prepared to “vigorously oppose it in court.”
The letter was sent to the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebilius, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.
It was signed by Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, who was joined by the attorneys general of Texas, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Colorado.
Bruning and his fellow attorneys general said that they are “deeply troubled” by the mandate’s “unprecedented coercion of organizations and individuals to act contrary to their religious beliefs.”
They decried the mandate for forcing religious employers to choose between effectively promoting “a message in contravention with their religious principles” and ceasing “activities of incalculable value” to society.
Faced with a storm of protest, the administration announced an “accommodation” for religious freedom on Feb. 10. Rather than directly purchasing the coverage they object to, religious employers under the new policy would be forced to buy health-care plans from insurance companies that would be required to offer these products free of charge.
Many critics have been quick to suggest that insurance companies will factor the “free” contraceptives into the pricing of health-care plans, and so employers will ultimately be billed for the coverage, thus forcing them to violate their consciences.
Bruning has said that he is not satisfied with the “accommodation,” which he described as a false compromise that “still tramples on religious freedom.”
He and the other attorneys general urged the Obama administration to reconsider its decision, which they said is not only a “bad policy,” but also “unconstitutional.”
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I hope that in the end instead of just 12 states suing, it will turn into 50 states. The whole matter is very disturbing to me!!!
Great! Really nice seeing things pulling together here. Gives me hope. We’re praying!
So proud of our Nebraska Attorney General, Jon Bruning (currently running for US Senate)!
Could someone point out some ligament legal arguments that make this a religious issue? It seems more of a workers rights issue.
“I thank God that I live in a day when the enemy is outside the Church, and I know where he is, and what he is up to. But, I foresee a day
when the enemy will be both outside and inside the Church ... and, I pray for the poor faithful who will be caught in the crossfire.”
—Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801-1890)
How shall we know the enemy? “By their fruits you shall know them” and “He who is not with me is against me” If a so called “Catholic” does not support the Bishops; if he/she says “Yes but…” then shun them, turn from them, do not associate with them. If they are a politician then do not vote for them.
Psy, there are plenty of writings on this topic. Employers are being asked to act in violation on conscience in offering abortifacient and contraceptive coverage. Women are currently receiving these “services,” currently, without employers being mandated to offer them. Alternatives, from private pay to clinics, are available to offer these products without forcing involvement of their employer.
The bishops had a chance to warn Catholic voters when Obama, with his strongly pro-abortion/ pro-homosexuality track record, ran for president. They likewise had a chance to speak out with strength and clarity when Obamacare was being debated. After failing to grasp those opportunities, they now face an uphill battle as Obama seeks in different ways to force tax-payers, state governments, employers, insurers, and charities to support abortion, contraception, sterilization, and gay marriage. I’m glad that the bishops are speaking up, but it would have been wiser for them to do so sooner.
I wrote both of my Colorado senators about this. Both of them, in their formulaic reply, mentioned that Colorado law already requires some kind of contraceptive coverage. I’m interested in what is specifically required and what religious exemptions there are in CO, however, it doesn’t particularly say that the federal government must force coverage in all other states. I’m glad to see that the CO AG is joining in this suit.
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