Have you been watching the healthcare issue as it relates to violationof conscience? 

The Department of Health and Human Services issued final rules oncontraceptive coverage in the Affordable Care Act at the end of June. TheNational Association of Evangelicals (NAE) has closely followed the policy’sdevelopment and advocated for strong religious freedom protections for thosewho object on religious grounds to include contraception in their companyhealth plans.

“The final rule still leaves many religious employers unprotected,”said Leith Anderson, NAE President. “The government should not compel any ofits citizens to violate their consciences.”

While most Christians are okay with the use of contraception, manyshare concerns that some of the drugs to be granted required coverage by healthinsurance policies are abortifacients. Manypeople of conscience also believe that the limited definition of “religiousemployer” in the rule sets a dangerous precedent. 

The final rule exempts churches from the mandate.Religious non-profits that object to the mandate may offer insurance policiesthat do not include contraceptive services. But the insurance companies orthird party administrators are required to provide the beneficiaries of thosepolicies free contraceptive services. Religious organizations that arestructured on a for-profit basis do not even receive this accommodation.

“With the administration digging in its heels andCongress unlikely to act, it is up to the courts to restore the constitutionalprotection guaranteed to all Americans under the First Amendment,” Andersonsaid. “We are encouraged that many of the lawsuits filed on behalf of religiousemployers are receiving a favorable hearing.”

TheNAE has joined friend-of-the-court briefs in several related cases,including  Wheaton College and BelmontAbbey College v. Kathleen Sebelius,  Stormans v. Selecky , O’brien v.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and  Gilardi v. U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services.