Michigan House of Representatives condemns HHS mandate
February 17, 2012
In a 67-39 vote, the Michigan House of Representatives called upon Congress to “enact the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011 and to urge the President of the United States to provide an effective and comprehensive religious conscience exemption from a requirement to cover services that are contrary to the religious beliefs and practices of certain faiths.”
“This over-reaching policy is an attack on religion and the First Amendment rights of individuals and organizations to operate according to their conscience,” the Michigan House stated in its resolution.
“On Friday, February 12, 2012, in light of growing national opposition to the DHHS mandate, President Obama announced an ‘accommodation’ to redirect responsibility for objectionable services from the employer to the employer's insurance carrier,” the resolution continued. “The ‘accommodation,’ however, did nothing to alleviate the attack on religious freedom of all Americans as faith-based employers will still be mandated to provide objectionable services that insurers will be forced to add to health benefit plans.”
Applauding the Michigan House’s action, the Michigan Catholic Conference stated that “the Obama Administration’s failure to address vehement opposition from faith-based organizations that are morally opposed to including contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs in their health benefit plans is utterly unacceptable. Quite simply, the HHS contraceptive mandate must be rescinded.”
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Further information:
- Text: MI House Resolution 185 - 96th Legislature (eLobbyist)
- Catholic Conference Applauds Michigan House for Opposing HHS Mandate, Standing for Religious Liberty (Michigan Catholic Conference)
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