The New York State Catholic Conference sent out the following action alert:

Speak Out Against the HHS Mandate

In implementing the federal health care reform law, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a rule requiring contraceptive and sterilization coverage in almost all private health plans nationwide. All FDA-approved contraceptives, even those which may cause early abortion, are listed among “preventive services for women” that all health plans will have to include, without co-pays.

The religious “exemption” in the rule is so extremely limited that in most cases, regardless of whether the insurer, the employer, or the woman herself objects to such coverage, it must be provided. This is an unprecedented attack on the religious freedom of individuals and institutions.

HHS has established a period for public comments that ends on September 30.

Go here to send a message to HHS.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has additional resources here.

Pregnancy is not a disease, and drugs and surgeries to prevent it are not basic health care that the government should require all Americans to purchase. Please take action now urging the removal of such coverage from the federal mandate and respect for religious freedom. Thank you.

The U.S. Bishops Conference Director of Media Relations, Sister Mary Ann Walsh, recently wrote about this, and much more, on the USCCB’s media blog.