This is outrageous. HHS has issued its final ruling on exemptions from contraceptive coverage for health plans even in the face of religious obejctions. Too bad.
And in what passes for compromise for the lunatic secular left currently running the country, they will give religious groups an extra year to comply if you can PROVE you are really a religious group (which is difficult to impossible with these people), but comply you will.
This is outrageous. We must demand that the next President/Congress reverse this on day 1.
A statement by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius
In August 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services issued an interim final rule that will require most health insurance plans to cover preventive services for women including recommended contraceptive services without charging a co-pay, co-insurance or a deductible. The rule allows certain non-profit religious employers that offer insurance to their employees the choice of whether or not to cover contraceptive services. Today the department is announcing that the final rule on preventive health services will ensure that women with health insurance coverage will have access to the full range of the Institute of Medicine’s recommended preventive services, including all FDA -approved forms of contraception. Women will not have to forego these services because of expensive co-pays or deductibles, or because an insurance plan doesn’t include contraceptive services. This rule is consistent with the laws in a majority of states which already require contraception coverage in health plans, and includes the exemption in the interim final rule allowing certain religious organizations not to provide contraception coverage. Beginning August 1, 2012, most new and renewed health plans will be required to cover these services without cost sharing for women across the country.
After evaluating comments, we have decided to add an additional element to the final rule. Nonprofit employers who, based on religious beliefs, do not currently provide contraceptive coverage in their insurance plan, will be provided an additional year, until August 1, 2013, to comply with the new law. Employers wishing to take advantage of the additional year must certify that they qualify for the delayed implementation. This additional year will allow these organizations more time and flexibility to adapt to this new rule. We intend to require employers that do not offer coverage of contraceptive services to provide notice to employees, which will also state that contraceptive services are available at sites such as community health centers, public clinics, and hospitals with income-based support. We will continue to work closely with religious groups during this transitional period to discuss their concerns.
Scientists have abundant evidence that birth control has significant health benefits for women and their families, it is documented to significantly reduce health costs, and is the most commonly taken drug in America by young and middle-aged women. This rule will provide women with greater access to contraception by requiring coverage and by prohibiting cost sharing.
This decision was made after very careful consideration, including the important concerns some have raised about religious liberty. I believe this proposal strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services. The administration remains fully committed to its partnerships with faith-based organizations, which promote healthy communities and serve the common good. And this final rule will have no impact on the protections that existing conscience laws and regulations give to health care providers.
Religious liberty means do what we say in one year? These people are monsters!!
Update from Matt: hey, remember when Obama was honored at Notre Dame and said:
Let’s honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion, and draft a sensible conscience clause, and make sure that all of our health care policies are grounded in clear ethics and sound science, as well as respect for the equality of women.”
I guess he wasn’t really telling the truth, huh? Looks like Notre Dame got played.
January 21, 2012 at 9:48 pm
We just don't do it. Screw the fines, screw the law.
We have no moral obligation to pay for someone else's contraception. Period.
The First Amendment is on our side. Just ignore the law and keep on working. It's time we just engaged in MASSIVE Catholic civil disobedience.
January 21, 2012 at 10:28 pm
When the President made the statement back in the Spring of 2008, I recall all of the networks covered it (as well as the news anchors). This was around the same time Pope Benedict visited this country and the motto of the visit was "Christ Our Hope" Sadly as soon as the Pope left, this was quickly forgotten and new "Hope" would be Obama and it is sad most Americans (including Catholics)ignored all of these warning signs. I myself knew in my gut he would be BAD for our Country the night he was elected. I was never fooled by any of his smooth talk.
January 21, 2012 at 11:30 pm
Belmont Abbey College has taken the lead in the legal fight against this mandate:
http://allhands-ondeck.blogspot.com/2012/01/belmont-abbey-college-leads-fight.html
Let us pray that many other Catholic institutions join them in this fight.
January 22, 2012 at 4:35 am
HHS: Hellish Hitler-esque Sebelius.
Horrid.
January 22, 2012 at 5:24 am
Deeply saddened by this decision. The Catholic Church is being attacked -and now Catholics are supposed to sin by government direction -and this happening in the land of the free, the country which protects religion from government intervention. I can't accept that. I won't accept that. My heart is torn. This is intolerable. Obama has to go. It's the only option.
January 22, 2012 at 10:04 pm
For those suggesting that NFP should be covered if chemical contraceptives are covered, I made that recommendation http://tiny.cc/5kjn5 when the first HHS announcement came out. It didn't gain any traction, but maybe if more folks demand equal treatment for NFP, it will.
January 23, 2012 at 2:59 am
And, pray tell, where is the public excommunication for Sebelius? Pelosi? Biden?
The SSPX are held at arms length while these people are admitted to communion every Sunday? Give me a break.
January 23, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Coverage for NFP supplies would not make it right to pay for contraceptives and sterilizations. Serious question here: Must all insurance policies cover childbirth? If not, why not?
January 24, 2012 at 12:08 am
It's that time again…
That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government,…
The history of the present US Presidential administration is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good…..
January 24, 2012 at 3:19 am
The time has come when the leadership in the House should take on some bravery and send a clear message to this administration. No more playing nice. It is time to act and act decisively. The Speaker's words today will sound increasingly hollow if he does not follow up.
January 24, 2012 at 3:21 am
The time has also come for the bishops to declare without any reservation that any public official who does not speak out against this decision should consider themselves to be execommunicated from the Church: and this includes Vice President Biden.
January 24, 2012 at 10:37 pm
Don't forget that we are not just talking about "birth control" – whatever that means. The pill is an abortifacient, so we are talking about early abortion.
February 9, 2012 at 9:56 am
We must try to stop sinners from bearing more sin into this world. They have not found our Faith yet, so continue engaging in lustful activities rather than promoting love and God's laws. I am tired of supporting these sinners with taxes that go toward curing the ills their lust causes, and paying to imprison the sinful, disease-ridden, drug-addicted adults their children become.
Therefore, I would rather pay for these sinners not to have children now as opposed to paying to support them and the sinful children they bear later. We must stand together and encourage Obama to stop these ungodly sinners who cannot control their loins from creating more sinners.