Take Action on the Abortion Mandate: Religious Liberty at Risk

From the Washington State Catholic Conference:
Legislation to require all private health insurers in Washington State to cover abortion services, if they offer maternity care, was heard on Monday, January 20^th. Bishop Eusebio Elizondo testified on behalf of the Washington State Catholic Conference opposing HB 2148 stating, "Deeply rooted in our Catholic faith is the belief that life is sacred from the moment of conception until natural death. We cannot equivocate about that belief." He also pointed out that, "...this legislation discriminates unjustly against churches, religious organizations and people who for religious reasons oppose abortion," and do not want to offer or pay for abortions in their health care plans.

HB 2148 violates the fundamental right to religious liberty guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution. It does not offer an exemption to employers who are morally opposed to abortion, nor to an employee or anyone who does not wish to pay premiums to cover abortion services.

HB 2148 also stands in violation of federal law. The Hyde/Weldon Amendment of the Labor/HHS appropriations bill forbids any federal, state, or local government from creating an abortion coverage mandate. Violation of the Hyde/Weldon Amendment risks all federal funding from the appropriations bill for health, education, and labor.

Click here to contact your state Representatives and urge them to uphold the rights of conscience and eliminate risking the loss of federal funding by voting NO on HB 2148.