Our representative, Bruce Poliquin, (R-Maine) supported the Conscience Protection Act (S-304) legislation that will protect pro-life healthcare providers from forced complicity in an abortion and would also provide a private right of action, enabling victims of governmental discrimination to seek redress in court.
This attack on conscience protection is not merely an empty threat from the Obama Administration; this is happening today in California, where officials have blatantly ignored longstanding bipartisan language known as the Hyde-Weldon Amendment. This language provides conscience protection for individuals, such as doctors and nurses, who choose to not perform abortions; while protecting pro-life pregnancy clinics from being forced to advertise abortion clinics. Additionally, it provides protection for insurance plans that do not cover abortions.
Although the Hyde-Weldon Amendment outlaws such violations, there exists no private right of action for victims to seek relief in court. Administrative enforcement by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a bureaucratic nightmare and can take years. The Conscience Protection Act provides a way for victims to receive justice through the court system, not through years of Washington bureaucracy.
The right of conscience should be guaranteed as an inalienable right, given by God, and protected by the First Amendment, but the Obama Administration has twisted it to fulfill the left’s political agenda. Discrimination against entities that do not want to provide for abortions must stop. Healthcare providers should not have to sacrifice their conscience rights and convictions under the farce of “healthcare rights.”
Under current California law, churches are forced to subsidize elective abortion through their healthcare plans. Pastor Chris Lewis from Foothill Church in California rightly stated, “Jesus said, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s,’ but neither human conscience nor human life belong to Caesar.”
Churches should not be forced to pay for abortions through their healthcare plans. There must be protection for the religious convictions of institutions and individuals. Healthcare professionals should not be forced to violate their conscience and help facilitate abortions. Instead of protecting religious liberties, the Obama Administration is protecting the abortion industry.
Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC) pushed for support of this crucial piece of legislation.
We are pleased to report that our representative in the Second District supported it and ask that you take the time to thank him. Click here to contact him.