I'm not sure the Church is really concerned about the Constitution; it is a global, if not universal, religion. IMHO - Obama isn't stupid and he won't endanger his reelection chances. He made this move to extract something from the Church, as opposed to just giving away an exemption. Obama owns the MSM and will control the dialogue. The Church has a history of cutting deals with "state control" oriented people like Obama* and will probably just do that again. Obama knows the history.
Don't be surprised if you see photo's him signing something before the election with Catholic Church leaders standing beside him smiling. The agreement will limit Church power in some way and the Church will get an acceptable exemption. The media will spin it for Obama.
* Yes, Mussolini and Hitler, but I didn't want to upset readers before I made my point.
My question is: Do the Catholic medical institutions receive federal funding in any way?
If they do, if they take money from the feds - this is what happens. They have to dance to what the feds want.
The Catholic leadership went along with Obama on Obamacare, thinking that they would get an exemption, but now that has blown up in their faces. They made a deal with the devil and this is what they reap.
I know this is a different topic, but this is one reason I’m not sure I like the so-called “voucher” money for school choice. Once private schools take the voucher money, I can see the feds saying they are taking public money and must abide by government mandates.
Catholics are nuts to fight this.
Best thing to do is go to cost-sharing like the Amish and Mennonite and others.(Medishare, Samaritan etc)
It would be self funded, qualify for exception and could take up to one fifth of the population out of government clutches.
It would be the end run of all end runs. And it would provide better options for their people. It would also be a model for every one else who is dying to get away from the encroaching totalitarian fascist commie.
There are more ways to skin this cat.