-- A monthly "abortion surcharge" on each person enrolled in a plan that covers the procedure. The abortion-contraceptive mandate -- which requires all plans to cover contraceptives and sterilizations as preventive services without cost to employees -- has been in the spotlight of criticism since a federal rule to that effect was announced in January. The mandate includes coverage of contraceptives that can cause abortions of tiny embryos. The rule regarding that mandate has a religious exemption critics find woefully inadequate and has elicited ardent opposition from church groups and religious freedom advocates. The ERLC and GuideStone Financial Services of the Southern Baptist Convention have protested those provisions and others. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has led a charge against the abortion/contraceptive mandate and the failure to protect freedom of conscience and has been joined by pro-life and religious liberty organizations. Multiple lawsuits challenging the abortion/contraceptive mandate have been filed in federal courts. The ERLC posted on its website July 10 a fact sheet on the law titled "What Obamacare Means for You." It may be accessed at http://erlc.com/article/what-obamacare-means-for-you. Tom Strode is Washington bureau chief for Baptist Press. Find out how your representative voted Wednesday at http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2012/roll460.xml Find out why pro-lifer oppose the law at http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38172 Copyright (c) 2012 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press www.BPNews.net |