Written by Don Byrd
U.S. Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Diane Black (R-TN) have introduced the Religious Freedom Tax Repeal Act of 2012. It would essentially allow any employer – not just religious organizations and entities – to be exempt from health coverage requirements that conflict with religious beliefs. Currently houses of worship and other religious institutions are exempt from requirements of, for example, contraception coverage. But should every employer have the right to impose his or her religious beliefs on employees’ health coverage? Even if the company itself has nothing to do with religion?
Writing at the Hill’s Congress Blog, Jon O’Brien, President of Catholics for Choice, argues no:
Black and Sensenbrenner are trying, as some in Congress have tried before, to gain special rules for those wishing to discriminate by creating loop-holes large enough to drive Sunday School buses through instead of acting to protect every individual’s right to exercise their beliefs as they see fit regarding healthcare and the health of their families.
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Their bogus claims about religious liberty are being fanned by those who share other more political and partisan concerns, especially as the election draws nearer. We only have to look as far as Sensenbrenner and Black’s proposal to see the proof. They’ll say it’s about religious freedom, but it’s up to all of us not to fall prey to the tawdry abuse of a principle that is dear to us.
Think we will hear more about this bill as the November elections approach?
