FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRONT ROYAL, Virginia - Following is a statement from Father Shenan J. Boquet, president of Human Life International, on the release of proposed rules from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regarding the mandate that almost all employers must provide insurance that pays for abortifacient and contraceptive drugs:
"Although many questions remain about what these proposed (not final) rules mean and how they will be implemented, we see no evidence that the Obama administration has any intention of listening to dissenting voices. "The proposed 'compromise' seems to amount to small changes on the margins, most likely destined to send the problem to the courts rather than simply acknowledge the basic right to religious freedom enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. While it appears that some additional entities may be provided relief from the unjust mandate, others, such as for-profit business and not-for-profits whom the administration deems insufficiently religious, are still subject to coercion. It is not clear that Human Life International and similar organizations will be protected from being forced to participate in actions that we find morally abhorrent. "Most importantly, the more fundamental problem with the Affordable Healthcare Act (also known as 'Obamacare') remains unaddressed. HHS Secretary Sebelius has almost unlimited power to make any changes to the rules as needed, with little oversight from Congress, and massive new bureaucratic structures that both strengthen and hide the laws' many anti-life aspects. Under this administration, this means that abortion will be free - paid for by taxpayers, despite assurances to the contrary; yet many life saving treatments are not free, and coverage is not nearly as universal for the most poor, as we were led to believe. "Not only is this latest accommodation not acceptable, the entire law is still an affront to human rights, especially the right to life. The entire law must be abolished, and must be replaced by a more modest system that respects freedom, that values life, and that is set on a sustainable fiscal path."
About HLI: Human Life International: For the Glory of God and defense of Life, Faith and Family. Founded in 1981, HLI is the world's largest international pro-life and pro-family organization, with affiliates and associates in over 80 countries on six continents. www.hli.org
