Letter to US Representative, Minnesota, Betty McCollum

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The Honorable Betty McCollum

1714 Longworth HOB

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative McCollum,

We, the Catholic bishops of Minnesota, write to urge your support for and co-sponsorship of the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (HR 1179). This bipartisan bill will help to ensure that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) continues to uphold the long-standing legislative tradition in our nation that has protected freedom of conscience and religious beliefs. The Respect for Rights of Conscience Act will protect religious freedom and the rights of conscience for those who offer and purchase health insurance coverage in our nation.

A major deficiency of the PPACA is that it lacks a conscience clause to prevent the Act itself from being used to suppress the rights of those who may have moral or religious objections to specific procedures or "services."

This deficiency is more than theoretical. Recently, the federal Department of Health and Human Services issued its interim rule that includes a "preventive services mandate" pursuant to the PPACA. While we support providing access to those services which can truly prevent disease or disability for women, such as pap smears and mammograms, we join other persons of good will who strenuously object to mandatory coverage for contraceptives, sterilization procedures, abortifacient agents like Ella, and education and counseling that would promote such measures.

But even if we cannot agree about either the immorality or shortsightedness of abortion and birth control as public policy, we should be able to agree that no person or entity should be forced to violate the dictates of his or her conscience or religious beliefs. And let there be no misunderstanding; if the Department of Health and Human Services mandate is not rescinded, those who sponsor, purchase or issue health plans will, by force of federal mandate, be required to violate their deeply held convictions.

Requiring individuals and institutions-Catholic and otherwise-to pay for and provide abortion drugs, sterilizations, and contraceptives contrary to their convictions-all in the name of reproductive autonomy-is a serious assault on one of this country's most cherished traditions.

Minnesota's Catholic bishops have long advocated for healthcare reform and access to quality, affordable healthcare. But, at the same time, there has been insistence that moral and religious conscience must not be suppressed. Yet that very thing will occur if the HHS mandate is not rescinded. This concern, and others that may develop, can be addressed in the same manner that has been successful in the past: specific conscience protections in law. The Respect for Rights of Conscience Act is an opportunity to provide these protections in the changed context of health care reform.

Catholics, from the time they arrived in the United States, have contributed to the common good by serving the poor and vulnerable-irrespective of their faith-in our many schools, hospitals and charities. America is the richer for this faith-inspired witness. But one consequence of failing to respect the rights of conscience is that the vast educational and social service network of the Catholic Church will be imperiled, and with it not only those who are employed and assist us in our works of mercy, but also those who are served: our neighbors in need.

Again, we urge you to support and join with Reps. Jeff Fortenberry and Dan Boren in co­ sponsoring the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

The Most Rev. John C. Nienstedt

Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

The Most Rev. John F. Kinney

Bishop of St. Cloud

The Most Rev. John M. LeVoir

Bishop of New Ulm

Most Rev. John M. Quinn

Bishop of Winona

The Most Rev. Paul D. Sirba

Bishop of Duluth

The Most Rev. Lee A. Piche

Auxiliary Bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis

The Most. Rev. Victor H. Balke

Bishop Emeritus of Crookston

The Most Rev. Harry J. Flynn Archbishop

Emeritus of St. Paul and Minneapolis

The Most Rev. Bernard J. Harrington Bishop

Emeritus of Winona