A bill that would effectively reverse the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby ruling regarding contraceptive requirements in the Affordable Care Act is scheduled to be voted on by the U.S. Senate tomorrow. In a letter, NAE Vice Presidents Galen Carey and Heather Gonzales urged all U.S. senators not to vote for the legislation, which would undermine the important Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).
Dear Senator,
As you work to improve access to health care for all Americans, please protect the health of our nation by preserving religious freedom for all Americans. The National Association of Evangelicals, representing 40 denominations and millions of members, opposes S.2578 and any legislation that would force some Americans to either violate their religious beliefs, or face punitive consequences.
S.2578 is a dangerous bill with unpredictable consequences. There have been no committee hearings to consider its impact, including the probable loss of employer-provided health insurance by many Americans, and the further polarization of the public debate.
S.2578 falsely claims that it would uphold the intent of the popular Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). But it specifically guts RFRA, and any other federal laws, as they apply to conscience protections in health care.
Preventing the government from abusing its power is precisely the purpose of the RFRA. RFRA provides important protection to all American citizens, women and men. If Congress wishes to provide increased access to contraceptive products and services, there are many ways of achieving this goal. Please work for solutions that uphold both public health and religious freedom.
Please reject S.2578 and work instead on constructive legislative solutions to America’s health care needs. We are ready to support reasonable approaches that improve health care while protecting our most basic freedoms.
Sincerely,
Heather Gonzales
Vice President and COO
National Association of Evangelicals
Galen Carey
Vice President, Government Relations
National Association of Evangelicals