Assault on religious freedom seen in Michigan contraception mandate

Published: 2008-05-19

LANSING, Mich. (CNS) -- Proposed legislation in Michigan that would require employers who provide prescription drug coverage to pay for contraception is "a direct assault upon the religious freedom rights" of Catholic and other religious employers, according to an official of the Michigan Catholic Conference. Paul A. Long, the conference's vice president for public policy, testified May 14 before the state Senate Health Policy Committee about Senate Bills 41 and 42, which would mandate contraception coverage for employers providing prescription drug coverage to their employees. Similar bills introduced during past legislative sessions also have not included exemptions for religious organizations that oppose the use of contraception. "This legislation would impose a mandate upon Catholic religious institutions to provide contraceptive insurance coverage, coercing essential ministries of the Catholic Church under the color of law to act contrary to one of the church's most profound religious teachings on matters of morality and social justice," Long said.

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