Written by Don Byrd
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has proposed a new Religious Freedom Restoration Act which would greatly expand conscience clause provisions in the arena of health care. The legislation proposal comes in the wake of controversy surrounding the Obama Administration’s decision not to exempt religious schools and hospitals from a requirement that health insurance for employees cover contraception.
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 2012 states that no provision of the Affordable Care Act shall:
(A) require any individual or entity to offer, provide, or purchase coverage for a contraceptive or sterilization service, or related education or counseling, to which that individual or entity is opposed on the basis of religious belief; or
(B) require any individual or entity opposed by reason of religious belief to provide coverage of a contraceptive or sterilization service or to engage in government-mandated speech regarding such a service.
Meanwhile, for a good primer on the issues at stake in the contraception decision, see Sarah Kliff’s Washington Post blog here.
