HHS mandate: USCCB decries unequal treatment of Amish, Catholics
March 12, 2012
“The Amish are exempt from the entire health care reform law,” writes Sister Mary Ann Walsh, director of media relations for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. “So are members of Medi-Share, a program of Christian Care Ministry. Yet, when the Catholic Church asks for a religious exemption from just one regulation issued under the law--the mandate that all employers, including religious institutions, must pay for sterilization and contraceptives, including abortion-inducing drugs--the Administration balks.”
“All insurance plans must include the objectionable services mentioned above,” she adds. “Here federal law trumps state law and threatens to fine into submission institutions that dare oppose it. The going rate is at least $100 per day per employee. What has the government got against the Catholic Church?”
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Posted by: ColmCille -
Mar. 13, 2012 5:21 PM ET USA
It's not only Catholic institutions that should be exempted. All individuals, companies, institutions, etc., whether Catholic or not, have the right to not pay for immoral services. The bishops sometimes seem to be defending only Church institutions while forgetting everyone else.
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Posted by: DrJazz -
Mar. 12, 2012 9:51 AM ET USA
I agree that the government has something against the Catholic Church. However, why are we asking for an exemption from just one regulation? Why aren't we asking for the same exemption the Amish have? How is it just for a government to compel me to spend my money on insurance premiums anyway, regardless of whether they pay for morally objectionable acts and services? The Amish asked for the moon and got it. We asked for one sentence and got nothing. I think there is a lesson there.
