Written by Don ByrdThe U.S. House yesterday sent a measure to the Senate that amends the religious exemption from the Affordable Care Act’s individual coverage mandate. As currently written, the ACA exempts an individual that is a “member of a recognized religious sect… and an adherent of established tenets… by reason of which he is conscientiously opposed to acceptance of the benefits of any public or private insurance.” This allows members of faiths that object to medical treatment on religious grounds avoid having to purchase insurance.
The Hill’s Floor Action blog explains how the House amendment would broaden that exemption…
Written by Don ByrdA trial underway in Bloomfield, New Mexico will decide the fate of a 3,000 pound Ten Commandments monument on the front lawn of city hall. Plaintiffs argue the display is an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion. The City counters by claiming the monument is private speech on what they have deemed a public forum, open to any who wish to place “historical monuments.”
Written by Don ByrdThe 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals is considering a challenge to the inclusion of a cross in a museum display that is being built partially with public funds. The national memorial museum commemorating Ground Zero of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, is scheduled to open this Spring with a cross-shaped beam from the wreckage that became a religious symbol for many.
Written by Don ByrdA Mississippi House committee voted to approve a state Religious Freedom Restoration Act bill and send it to the full House for a vote, but not before approving an important amendment to the Senate version….
