Seeking to safeguard the conscience rights of all Americans, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) today introduced the Religious Liberty Protection Act, legislation that would prohibit the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from forcing employers with religious objections to provide coverage of sterilization or contraceptive services.

“This attack by the federal government is another example of the many ills of the health-care law and a clear example of the administration’s lack of respect for religious freedom and conscience rights,” Luetkemeyer said.  “Our country must not stand, and will not stand, for this injustice, and that is why I felt compelled to file this legislation to reaffirm the United States’ history of protecting individuals and organizations from being penalized or discriminated against due to their faith. It is wrong and unprecedented to force religiously affiliated organizations to choose between staying true to their moral convictions and serving their communities in compliance with federal mandates.” 

The legislation was introduced to address an HHS interim rule that would require individual and group health plans to cover free sterilization and all contraceptives approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Plan B, more commonly known as the morning after pill, and Ella, which can have the same effect as a chemically induced abortion, are included in the list of FDA-approved contraceptives.  Because religiously affiliated hospitals, universities and charities were not included in the rule’s narrowly defined exemption, the Obama administration has effectively required these religiously affiliated organizations to cover abortion, which runs contrary to their fundamental moral tenet of supporting life. 
 
Until the enactment of the new health-care law, the federal government has never had a hand in establishing a list of covered services that infringe on the conscience rights of organizations purchasing health insurance for employees. Luetkemeyer’s Religious Liberty Protection Act would prohibit HHS from forcing employers with religious objections to provide coverage of sterilization or contraceptive services.