Bishops Vow to Fight HHS Ruling

Friday, 20 January 2012 14:43

WASHINGTON — The leader of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, has called “literally unconscionable” a decision by the Obama Administration to continue to demand that sterilization, abortifacients and contraception be included in virtually all health plans. Cardinal-designate Dolan's criticism of the decision can be viewed on a web video posted at: http://bcove.me/ob5itz9v The announcement by HHS means that this mandate and its very narrow exemption will not change at all; instead there will only be a delay in enforcement against some employers. “In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences,” said Cardinal-designate Dolan, archbishop of New York, urging that the HHS mandate be overturned. The cardinal-designate continued, “To force American citizens to choose between violating their consciences and forgoing their healthcare is literally unconscionable.  It is as much an attack on access to health care as on religious freedom. Historically this represents a challenge and a compromise of our religious liberty."             The HHS rule requires that sterilization and contraception – including controversial abortifacients – be included among “preventive services” coverage in almost every healthcare plan available to Americans. “The government should not force Americans to act as if pregnancy is a disease to be prevented at all costs,” added Cardinal-designate Dolan.             At issue, the U.S. bishops and other religious leaders insist, is the survival of a cornerstone constitutionally protected freedom that ensures respect for the conscience of Catholics and all other Americans.             “This is nothing less than a direct attack on religion and First Amendment rights,” said Franciscan Sister Jane Marie Klein, chairperson of the board at Franciscan Alliance, Inc., a system of 13 Catholic hospitals. “I have hundreds of employees who will be upset and confused by this edict. I cannot understand it at all.”             Daughter of Charity Sister Carol Keehan, president and chief executive officer of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, voiced disappointment with the decision. Catholic hospitals serve one out of six people who seek hospital care annually.             “This was a missed opportunity to be clear on appropriate conscience protection,” Sister Keehan said.                         “The Obama administration has now drawn an unprecedented line in the sand,” Dolan said. “The Catholic bishops are committed to working with our fellow Americans to reform the law and change this unjust regulation. We will continue to study all the implications of this troubling decision.”