Conscience Protections Threatened in the Health Care Field, Please Respond by Sept. 30

Here's an issue that has direct impact on the lives of women (and men!). I know so many people who are nurses, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, and physicians; you probably do too. Let's stand with them in securing the conscience protections needed for Christian medical personnel to continue their good work in health care without having to compromise their beliefs. 

Conscience protections are being threatened in the health care field. Your immediate action is requested by our Catholic Bishops, and it will take about 10 minutes of your time.

The US Catholic Conference of Bishops write:

On August 1, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an "interim final rule" that will require virtually all private health plans to include coverage for all FDA-approved prescription contraceptives, sterilization procedures, and related "patient education and counseling for all women with reproductive capacity." These are listed among "preventive services for women" that all health plans will have to include without co-pays or other cost-sharing -- regardless of whether the insurer, the employer or other plan sponsor, or even the woman herself objects to such coverage.

The Bishops recommend you go to this link, where there is a 5 minute podcast and a simple form from the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment - here -  that you can fill in to send your objection to HHS. But time is running out. You must do this before Sept. 30th. 

You can also send an letter to your Senators and Representative in Congress, asking them to support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act. There is an easy fill-in-the-blank letter generator here.

I've sent my thought and comments to HHS and to Congress, and hope you will too. It took much longer to compose this blog post than it will take you to read this and act on it.