HHS Mandate Jacquie, Alie, Danielle. Stand Up for Religious Freedom What is the HHS mandate? ► ► A new rule unveiled by the U.S. Department of Health

HHS MandateHHS Mandate

Jacquie, Alie, DanielleJacquie, Alie, Danielle

Stand Up for Religious Freedom

What is the HHS mandate?What is the HHS mandate?

►A new rule unveiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

►Under Secretary Kathleen Sebelus Secretary Kathleen Sebelus ►On January 20, 2012.


The New Policy RequiredThe New Policy Required

► It requires nearly all private health It requires nearly all private health insurance plans to include coverage insurance plans to include coverage for all FDA-approved prescription for all FDA-approved prescription contraceptive drugs and devices, contraceptive drugs and devices, surgical sterilizations, and abortion surgical sterilizations, and abortion inducing drugs.inducing drugs.


Result of “Affordable Care Result of “Affordable Care Act”Act”

►AKA: “Obamacare” passed in 2010.AKA: “Obamacare” passed in 2010.► In September 2010 the Federal In September 2010 the Federal

Government asked the Institute of Government asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to recommend a list of Medicine (IOM) to recommend a list of “preventative services for women”.“preventative services for women”.

► In July 2011The IOM include sterilization In July 2011The IOM include sterilization and contraceptive services.and contraceptive services.

►The government adopted them in The government adopted them in August 2011. August 2011.


ResultResult

►All health plans have to cover these All health plans have to cover these “preventative services” “preventative services”

►without co-pays or other cost sharingwithout co-pays or other cost sharing►REGARDLESS of whether the insurer, REGARDLESS of whether the insurer,

the employer or other plan sponsor, or the employer or other plan sponsor, or the woman herself objects to the the woman herself objects to the coverage. coverage.


Religious Exemption?Religious Exemption?

►Yes…It provides an exemption for Yes…It provides an exemption for “religious employers” who object to “religious employers” who object to contraception, sterilizations and contraception, sterilizations and abortion-inducing drugs.abortion-inducing drugs.

►BUT NO: ONLY if the religious BUT NO: ONLY if the religious employers purpose is to instill religious employers purpose is to instill religious doctrine and hire and serve only people doctrine and hire and serve only people of their own faith, and if they qualify as of their own faith, and if they qualify as a church or religious order according to a church or religious order according to a very narrow definition in the tax code. a very narrow definition in the tax code.


Religious Exemption?Religious Exemption?

►This excludes a majority of faith-based This excludes a majority of faith-based organizations. organizations.

►Catholic hospitals, universities, and Catholic hospitals, universities, and service organizations. service organizations.

►““Not even Jesus and the apostles Not even Jesus and the apostles would have qualified for this would have qualified for this exemption.”exemption.”


Obama’s AccommodationObama’s Accommodation

►February 10, 2012, responding to February 10, 2012, responding to intense opposition.intense opposition.

►President Obama announced there President Obama announced there would be an accommodation for would be an accommodation for religious institutions opposed.religious institutions opposed.

► In the accommodation, insurance In the accommodation, insurance companies-not the religious employers companies-not the religious employers themselves-would be forced to pay.themselves-would be forced to pay.


Obama’s AccommodationObama’s Accommodation

►BUT…funds the insurance companies BUT…funds the insurance companies would use to make these payments would use to make these payments come from the premiums paid by come from the premiums paid by employers.employers.

►The religious institutions still pay for the The religious institutions still pay for the services against their morals.services against their morals.

►AND…this is inadequate for self-insured AND…this is inadequate for self-insured religious institutions.religious institutions.

►Conclusion?Conclusion?


TimelineTimeline► August 3, 2011, August 3, 2011, HHS Regulation, All group health plans must cover “[FDA-]approved , All group health plans must cover “[FDA-]approved

contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling for all women with reproductive capacity.” FDA approved contraception includes Plan B for all women with reproductive capacity.” FDA approved contraception includes Plan B (“morning after pill) and ella (“week after pill).(“morning after pill) and ella (“week after pill).

► January 31, 2012, January 31, 2012, Press Release, , Senator Rubio introduces conscience rights billSenator Rubio introduces conscience rights bill

► February 10, 2012February 10, 2012, Press Release, Press Release, Obama Administration Offers False “Compromise” , Obama Administration Offers False “Compromise” on Abortion-Drug Mandateon Abortion-Drug Mandate

► February 15, 2012February 15, 2012, Press Release, , Press Release, UNACCEPTABLE: Diverse group of more than 300 UNACCEPTABLE: Diverse group of more than 300 academics and religious leaders call Obama’s HHS statement “Unacceptable”academics and religious leaders call Obama’s HHS statement “Unacceptable”

► February 18, 2012, February 18, 2012, Congressional Hearing,Congressional Hearing, First Congressional Hearing on HHS First Congressional Hearing on HHS Mandate, President Theirfelder Testifies (Belmont Abbey College)Mandate, President Theirfelder Testifies (Belmont Abbey College)

► February 23, 2012, February 23, 2012, Press Release, Press Release, 7 states sue over mandate (Nebraska v. HHS)7 states sue over mandate (Nebraska v. HHS)

► February 28, 2012, February 28, 2012, Congressional Hearing, Congressional Hearing, Becket Fund Testifies before full House Becket Fund Testifies before full House Judiciary Committee regarding constitutionality of the HHS MandateJudiciary Committee regarding constitutionality of the HHS Mandate

► April 26, 2012April 26, 2012, Video, , Video, Sebelius admits before congress that she did not consult Sebelius admits before congress that she did not consult Supreme court decision on religious liberty when drafting the HHS mandateSupreme court decision on religious liberty when drafting the HHS mandate


8686 Plaintiffs… Plaintiffs…2626 Cases Cases

► Belmont Abbey College v. Belmont Abbey College v. SebeliusSebelius

► Colorado Christian Colorado Christian University v. SebeliusUniversity v. Sebelius

► EWTN v. SebeliusEWTN v. Sebelius► Priests for Life v. SebeliusPriests for Life v. Sebelius► Louisiana College v. SebeliusLouisiana College v. Sebelius► Ave Maria v. SebeliusAve Maria v. Sebelius► Geneva College v. SebeliusGeneva College v. Sebelius► Nebraska v. HHSNebraska v. HHS► O’Brien v. HHSO’Brien v. HHS► Newland v. SebeliusNewland v. Sebelius► Legatus v. SebeliusLegatus v. Sebelius

► W.D.Pa. (Erie) LawsuitW.D.Pa. (Erie) Lawsuit► Diocese of Erie Diocese of Erie N.D. Tex. (Dallas) LawsuitN.D. Tex. (Dallas) Lawsuit► S.D. Miss. (Gulfport) LawsuitS.D. Miss. (Gulfport) Lawsuit► St. Dominic Health Services St. Dominic Health Services ► N.D. Ind. (South Bend) N.D. Ind. (South Bend)

LawsuitLawsuit► E.D. Mo. (St. Louis) LawsuitE.D. Mo. (St. Louis) Lawsuit► N.D. Ill. LawsuitN.D. Ill. Lawsuit► Wheaton College v. SebeliusWheaton College v. Sebelius► Triune Health Group v. Triune Health Group v.

SebeliusSebelius► Grace Schools v. SebeliusGrace Schools v. Sebelius► D.D.C. LawsuitD.D.C. Lawsuit► E.D.N.Y. LawsuitE.D.N.Y. Lawsuit

((Becket Fund)Becket Fund)

Lawsuits to DateLawsuits to Date


What Role does Religion What Role does Religion Play?Play?

► HHS mandate violates Religious Freedom!HHS mandate violates Religious Freedom!► ““President Obama’s HHS Mandate violates freedom of President Obama’s HHS Mandate violates freedom of

conscience, a right that is guaranteed by the First conscience, a right that is guaranteed by the First Amendment and even several federal laws. The right Amendment and even several federal laws. The right to practice one’s religious beliefs is protected by The to practice one’s religious beliefs is protected by The Bill of Rights. The Obama administration’s attempt to Bill of Rights. The Obama administration’s attempt to force all Americans to buy coverage for sterilization force all Americans to buy coverage for sterilization and contraceptives, including drugs that induce and contraceptives, including drugs that induce abortion, is a radical incursion into freedom of abortion, is a radical incursion into freedom of conscience.conscience.

► Never before in U.S. history has the federal Never before in U.S. history has the federal government forced citizens to directly purchase a government forced citizens to directly purchase a product in contradiction to their moral and religious product in contradiction to their moral and religious beliefs.”beliefs.”


► The HHS Mandate is infringing upon religious freedom in their The HHS Mandate is infringing upon religious freedom in their business decisions, violates their consciences and business business decisions, violates their consciences and business owners want to ensure that their company is run in owners want to ensure that their company is run in accordance with their religious values.accordance with their religious values.

► They are taking over our consciences, what else does the They are taking over our consciences, what else does the government plan to take over?government plan to take over?

► ““My stance on this issue is that we’re fighting for religious My stance on this issue is that we’re fighting for religious liberty for men and women. It is ‘unfortunate’ that the debate liberty for men and women. It is ‘unfortunate’ that the debate has been framed as a women’s rights issue when it is has been framed as a women’s rights issue when it is definitely an issue of religious freedom.” definitely an issue of religious freedom.” -Mary Anne Yep, co-founder and vice president of Triune -Mary Anne Yep, co-founder and vice president of Triune Health Group.Health Group.

www.ctbulletin.comwww.ctbulletin.com



► Many institutions will be forced to provide services that directly contradict the teachings of their faith.

► And the federal government is claiming the right to decide for religious institutions what constitutes their ministry..

► We all have that right to practice our faith, and share it with We all have that right to practice our faith, and share it with others. others.

► This is a great opportunity for ecumenism, for Christians to This is a great opportunity for ecumenism, for Christians to unite in what they believe.unite in what they believe.


United under our BishopsUnited under our Bishops

►Also an opportunity for Catholics to unite Also an opportunity for Catholics to unite under our bishops. under our bishops.

►Exposes what we as Catholics truly Exposes what we as Catholics truly believe, especially in the area of believe, especially in the area of contraceptives. contraceptives.

►Fortnight for Freedom…Prayer and Fortnight for Freedom…Prayer and Sacrifice!Sacrifice!Started on the feast of the martyrs, St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher. Bishops wanted to Started on the feast of the martyrs, St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher. Bishops wanted to

promote “Our Christian and American heritage of liberty,” initiated 2 weeks of prayer, self- promote “Our Christian and American heritage of liberty,” initiated 2 weeks of prayer, self- studying on this mandate and sacrifice. This campaign ended on July 4, America’s studying on this mandate and sacrifice. This campaign ended on July 4, America’s Independence Day! (another date with clear significance for U.S.)Independence Day! (another date with clear significance for U.S.)

Catechism of the Catholic Church

1738 Freedom is exercised in relationships between human beings. Every human person, created in the image of God, has the natural right to be recognized as a free and responsible being. All owe to each other this duty of respect. The right to the exercise of freedom, especially in moral and religious matters, is an inalienable requirement of the dignity of the human person. This right must be recognized and protected by civil authority within the limits of the common good and public order.

1747 The right to the exercise of freedom, especially in religious and moral matters, is an inalienable requirement of the dignity of man.But the exercise of freedom does not entail the putative right to say or do anything.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

1782 Man has the right to act inconscience and in freedom so aspersonally to make moral decisions."He must not be forced toact contrary to his conscience.Nor must he be prevented fromacting according to his conscience,especially in religious matters."(DH3 # 2)

1776 "Deep within his conscienceman discovers a law which hehas not laid upon himself butwhich he must obey. Its voice,ever calling him to love and to dowhat is good and to avoid evil,sounds in his heart at the rightmoment... For man has in hisheart a law inscribed by God...Hisconscience is man's most secretcore and his sanctuary. There heis alone with God whose voiceechoes in his depths.“ (GS 16)

Long-Term Impact on the Long-Term Impact on the Nation’s CultureNation’s Culture

►The government wants dependence in The government wants dependence in order to control the people.order to control the people.

► If its contraception now, what’s If its contraception now, what’s tomorrow?tomorrow?

►Goes beyond the issue of contraception.Goes beyond the issue of contraception.►Making people aware of the Churches Making people aware of the Churches

teaching.teaching.►Brought people together…Catholics to Brought people together…Catholics to

pray and SACRIFICE.pray and SACRIFICE.


Is this really about access to Is this really about access to contraception?contraception?

►Contraceptives are already widely, Contraceptives are already widely, cheaply available. cheaply available.

►““Access” does not mean someone is Access” does not mean someone is suppose to pay for you.suppose to pay for you.

USCCB: Six Things Everyone USCCB: Six Things Everyone Should Know About the HHS Should Know About the HHS

MandateMandate

1. The mandate does not 1. The mandate does not exempt Catholic charities, exempt Catholic charities,

schools, universities, or schools, universities, or hospitalshospitals

2. The mandate forces 2. The mandate forces these institutions and others these institutions and others against their conscience to against their conscience to pay for things they consider pay for things they consider

immoral.immoral.

3. The mandate forces 3. The mandate forces coverage of sterilization and coverage of sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs and abortion-inducing drugs and

devices as well as devices as well as contraception.contraception.

4. Catholics of all politital 4. Catholics of all politital persuasions are unified in persuasions are unified in

the opposition to the the opposition to the mandate.mandate.

5. Many other religious and 5. Many other religious and secular people and groups secular people and groups have spoken out strongly have spoken out strongly

against the mandate.against the mandate.

6. The federal mandate is 6. The federal mandate is much stricter than existing much stricter than existing

state mandates.state mandates.

RC Women Take ActionRC Women Take Action

►AMERICA CODE BLUEAMERICA CODE BLUE►What: A steady flow of thousands of What: A steady flow of thousands of

blue envelopes and letters in blue envelopes and letters in opposition to the HHS mandate.opposition to the HHS mandate.

►Where: The halls of Congress and the Where: The halls of Congress and the US Senate.US Senate.

►When: Beginning September 8, 2010 When: Beginning September 8, 2010 up through the presidential electionup through the presidential election

http://americacodeblue.com/ http://americacodeblue.com/ ► ““The idea was to flood The idea was to flood

Congress and the Senate Congress and the Senate with blue envelopes and with blue envelopes and hard copy letters!” said hard copy letters!” said Sally. “If everyone mails Sally. “If everyone mails their letters around the same their letters around the same time....it will have a huge time....it will have a huge impact.”impact.”

► ““Emails can easily be Emails can easily be ignored and no one really ignored and no one really sees it,” she said. “Hard sees it,” she said. “Hard copy colored envelopes will copy colored envelopes will get the attention of postal get the attention of postal workers, office workers and workers, office workers and hopefully media. It will force hopefully media. It will force media and our congressmen media and our congressmen to acknowledge that the to acknowledge that the silent majority is not silent silent majority is not silent anymore.”anymore.”

Documents

HHS Mandate Jacquie, Alie, Danielle. Stand Up for Religious Freedom What is the HHS mandate? ► ► A new rule unveiled by the U.S. Department of Health