Dear Friends,This week the 7th and 10th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in the Grote and Hobby Lobby cases opposing being forced to violate their religious convictions to subsidize abortion-inducing drugs for their employees or being subjected to a punitive fine.The bottom line is Americans should not be forced to violate their moral or religious conscience when they provide or purchase health care.As you know, ObamaCare contains a mandate that bypasses our constitutionally protected rights by requiring the majority of health care plans to include abortion-inducing drugs, like ella and Plan B, free as “preventive services for women.”In addition to the Grote and Hobby Lobby cases, there are over 40 lawsuits filed by religious nonprofits and secular for-profit businesses claiming the mandate violates their religious beliefs.The conscience mandate continues to differentiate Americans by deciding who is “religious enough” to deserve an exemption. This creates a tiered system for religious freedom – not at all what was envisioned by the Founding Fathers. The free exercise of religion is an individual right. Below is the statement by Representative Jenkins (R-Kansas). We should say that Representative Jenkins, is not usually someone who we reach out to and ask to carry water for us on the Hill is committed to protecting our conscience rights – please call her office at 202-225-6601 and thank her for working with Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee to highlight this issue. Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins:
“I am committed to protecting individuals rights of conscience, and believe we need to protect Americans’ fundamental liberties, which is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 940, the Health Care Conscience Rights Act. No individual should be forced by the federal government to violate their moral or religious convictions.”H.R. 940 would amend the president’s terrible healthcare law to ensure the federal government cannot require individuals, charities, or businesses to buy insurance coverage that includes items or services against their moral or religious values and beliefs. It would also ensure that recipients of state, local, or federal government funds cannot discriminate against any health care organization or worker for abiding by their conscience and refusing to provide, train, or refer for abortion services. “The latest ‘accommodation’ issued by the Department of Health and Human Services falls far short of addressing the concerns of religious non-profits and charities, and does not allow religious and non-religious affiliated employers provide quality health coverage consistent with their beliefs. Protecting the constitutional rights of all Americans is the foundational obligation of Members of Congress and one I intend to uphold.”
Take Action Now: 1. Please call your Representative and urge him/her to support H.R. 940, the Health Care Conscience Rights Act. Please ask them to talk to House leadership to have this legislation included on any must-pass bill. To find your Representative, please click here.2. Please meet with your Representative when he/she returns to the district the week of May 27. A face to face meeting is the best way to convey the importance of this issue. To find your Representative, please click here. 3. Please forward this email to your friends and family and ask them to act today!These actions are extremely important! House leadership has told us this is not a priority because they are not hearing from Members of Congress. In order to make this a priority, Representatives will need to pressure House leaders soon!