I am writing today to ask in the strongest way possible that you support and vote for the “Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011″ offered by Rep. Fortenberry in the House and Senator Blunt in the Senate to protect those with moral and religious objections against the coercive “contraceptive mandate.” If Congress does not act to protect the rights of conscience, religious employers and faith-based organizations will be forced to either violate their conscience in continuing health coverage, or drop health coverage altogether and face penalties under ObamaCare.

I strongly oppose the government forcing health care plans to cover free insurance coverage for contraceptives, especially for drugs and devices that can cause an abortion like Ella and Plan B so that my premiums will increase to cover the cost. The Administration’s narrow definition of “religious employer” will not protect the many religious organizations that offer charity, health care, food and help to people of many faiths. The Administration’s announced 1-year delay is an insult to those who have religious and moral objections, to claim they have a year to figure out how to violate their conscience or drop health insurance is unacceptable. The Friday announcement simply reaffirms the mandate on religious individuals and religious organizations. The latest fig-leaf of “accommodation” merely continues the contraceptive mandate and guarantees that religious employers will still be required to purchase health care plans and see their costs rise because the insurer will turn around and provide free contraceptives to their employees. There is no conscience protection for those organizations that object to purchasing insurance that provides their employees with that which they fundamentally object.

Please protect the conscience rights of insurers, providers and people like me who object to being forced by the federal government to offer or subsidize contraceptives and sterilization services, or any service to which we have deeply held moral or religious convictions. No American should be forced by the federal government to essentially subsidize services they object to against their moral and religious objections. I again urge you in the strongest way possible to support the “Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011.”