Posted on 06/28/2013 2:55:52 PM PDT by NYer
The Obama administration today released the final draft of the HHS mandate that will force religiously-run groups and companis to pay for abotion-causing drugs and birth control in violaton of their consciences.
The initial versions of the HHS mandate have already been the subject of multiple lawsuits from colleges and businesses that will be forced to comply because the HHS rules have very limited exceptions.
The final rules reflect public feedback received in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued in February 2013 but they are not revised in a way that would mitigate any of the concerns or complaints pro-life groups have had. Despite the lack of any real conscience protections in prior versions, the White House hailed the HHS mandate today.
“The health care law guarantees millions of women access to recommended preventive services at no cost,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Today’s announcement reinforces our commitment to respect the concerns of houses of worship and other non-profit religious organizations that object to contraceptive coverage, while helping to ensure that women get the care they need, regardless of where they work.”
In response to today’s final regulation on the Health and Human Services Mandate, Eric Rassbach, Deputy General Counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, commented in an email to LifeNews. His organizoation is one of the primary groups suing the Obama administration on behalf of victims of the HHS mandate.
“Today, after two years of debate, four failed proposed accommodations, and over 60 lawsuits and 200 plaintiffs challenging the regulation, the Administration has announced its final rule on the HHS mandate. We look forward to closely studying the impact it will have on the existing lawsuits and the religious freedom of millions of Americans, and will provide a detailed statement shortly.”
The Becket Fund led the charge against the unconstitutional HHS mandate. The Becket Fund currently represents: Hobby Lobby, Wheaton College, East Texas Baptist University, Houston Baptist University, Colorado Christian University, the Eternal Word Television Network, Ave Maria University, and Belmont Abbey College.
A court ruling this week says Christian-run business Hobby Lobby does not have to pay fines under the HHS mandate while its legal challenges continue. Hobby Lobby could have paid as much as $1.3 million each day in fines for refusing to pay for birth control or abortion-causing drugs under the mandate.
The most recent polling data from December 2012 shows Americans support a religious exemption to the mandate.
Catholic ping!
Sasha and Malia have a father who HATES babies and children more than anything in the universe. No amount of money or connections are going to repair their psych issues from that...
A woman's right to choose occurs when she decides to have un-protected sex....after that, the responsibility should be accountability for the MURDER of an un-born human being. NO ONE, of any "Religion" or "Non-Religion" can deny that this is nothing but Authorization for murdering babies, and forced payment for those inner-city tribal parasites who PAY NOTHING for Medical Care, under this Mandate.
Glad they’re focusing on the really important things. What a murdering train wreck this idiot is.
It’s official. The country has gone to hell.
Ok, I know I am just not getting the directive...
so is obama saying he doesn’t care who you are you will be forced to pay for abortions/birth control while..
at the same time he says he is being sensitive to religion.
Nope I must have really missed it, because what I just typed makes no sense.
Resist!
I wish America could have a Christian President again, because this Marxist Muslim gay illegal alien has proven he isn’t one.
Essentially, the legalization of abortion was intended to assuage the guilt resulting from un-protected sex. The same concept applies to legalizing gay marriage which assuages a sodomite relationship by legalizing it. God is not fooled.
Just wait until HHS tries to force Catholic hospitals to perform abortions.
Congress shall make no law....but they did. And the SC affirmed it. There is no freedom of religion anymore.
You mean they finally read it?
And, so it begins . . .
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