The Religious Right and their supporters in Congress are at it again. These groups are trying to tinker with the health of countless Americans by inserting religious extremism into our government.
Following the recent contraceptive care controversy, Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) has pushed for passage of the “Respect for Rights of Conscience Act”, which would allow ALL employers to exclude health benefits from their employees’ health plans that they deem immoral or “contrary to their religious beliefs.”
Unfortunately, this amendment is likely to be voted on this week. Giving in to religious extremism and bargaining with the health of Americans is unacceptable.Please take a moment to contact your Senators and ask them to oppose the Blunt Amendment.
Data recently compiled by the Department of Health and Human Services shows that an estimated 20.4 million women are now taking advantage of preventive health care services provided under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the Blunt legislation could put their access to these services at risk. These services include contraception, mammograms, pre-natal screenings, cervical cancer screenings, flu shots and much more.
This amendment affects how many Americans, especially women, will be able to pay for necessary medical services. If this amendment is passed, private employers would be able to eliminate many important health benefits while justifying this removal upon dubious religious grounds.
While employers are permitted to their own personal religious beliefs, they should not be entitled to interfere in the health care of their employees. The American Humanist Association believes that employees should be able to make their own decisions about health care.
Sincerely,
Roy Speckhardt
Executive Director