We believe that President Obama should support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act, a bill currently in Congress.
The bill would protect the current exemption that allows private insurance plans not to pay for contraception and sterilization, practices contrary to the religious beliefs of Catholics and some Protestants, Muslims, and Jews. Under Pres. Obama's health care reform, nearly all private insurance plans would have to cover these things.
The existing religious exemption is so narrow as to exclude institutions that serve individuals of other religions; for example, a Catholic hospital serving all people would not fit the current exemption. We urge the president to protect religious freedom and religious institutions by signing the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act.