‘Health Care Conscience Rights Act’ introduced in House

March 06, 2013

Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has welcomed the introduction of the Health Care Conscience Rights Act in the House of Representatives.

“The administration has leveraged its expansion of government to trample on the religious freedom of private individuals, hospitals, non-profits, businesses, churches and universities--forcing many Americans to make an impossible choice: either defy your religious convictions or break the law and face financially-crippling legal penalties,” said Rep. Diane Black (R-TN), who is a Lutheran. “As a nurse for more than 40 years, I am proud to introduce the Health Care Conscience Rights Act to protect religious freedom, disempower Obamacare, and stop the administration’s assault on Americans’ First Amendment rights.”

“I am grateful to Congresswoman Black and other sponsors for their leadership today,” Archbishop Lori said in a statement. “I welcome the Health Care Conscience Rights Act and call for its swift passage into law. While federal laws are on the books protecting conscience rights in health care, this act would make such protection truly effective. This overdue measure is especially needed in light of new challenges to conscience rights arising from the federal health care reform act.”

 

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Further information:

• Archbishop Lori Welcomes Introduction Of “Health Care Conscience Rights Act” (USCCB)
• Black, Fortenberry & Fleming Introduce Health Care Conscience Rights Act to Stop Obama Administration’s Assault on Religious Freedom (Rep. Diane Black)