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February 3, 2012

Dear Brothers in Christ:

On January 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reaffirmed a Rule that under the 2010 health care law, virtually all private health care plans must cover access to sterilization, contraception and abortion-inducing drugs like RU 486 and “Ella” as part of the set of “preventive health services.”  This decision was made despite the clear, repeated and reasoned appeals of the U.S. Bishops, an array of healthcare organizations and many other clergy and lay Catholics.

The mandate contained in this Rule violates the long-standing tradition of conscience protections in federal law and the First Amendment protection of religious liberty.  Catholic social services agencies, hospitals, universities and all other employers would have to fund procedures they find contrary to their convictions and harmful to others.  Even those who do not share the Church’s conviction that these procedures and drugs are not true “health care” and are morally wrong can share our distress and indignation that citizens would be forced to pay for actions that violate their personal consciences.