WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate, which requires all health insurance plans to cover contraceptives, abortion-causing drugs including Plan B and Ella, and sterilization takes effect today, August 1. Organizations that refuse to comply could be fined enormous amounts of money, as much as $100 per day per employee.
Institutions that meet "safe haven" qualifications (including being a religious non-profit and not having offered any form of contraception) insultingly are given a "grace" period of one year, in which time they are supposed to rectify how they shall violate their conscience to fit President Obama's demands.
For a list of resources pertaining to the HHS mandate, click here: http://www.frc.org/mandateresources
Family Research Council Action (FRC Action) Senior Vice President Tom McClusky had the following comment:
"With the irony not noted, yesterday marked the release of the U.S. Department of State's annual report, 'International Religious Freedom Report for 2011.' In its opening paragraph the report notes: 'To think, believe, or doubt. To speak or pray; to gather or stand apart. Such are the movements of the mind and heart, infinitives that take us beyond the finite. Freedom of religion, like all freedoms of thought and expression, are inherent. Our beliefs help define who we are and serve as a foundation for what we contribute to our societies. However, as the 2011 International Religious Freedom Report documents, too many people live under governments that abuse or restrict freedom of religion.'
"Today, August 1st, marks the day the United States should officially be listed as one of the nations in that report.
"President Obama has made clear, in his legislation, public remarks and his lawsuits, that he believes religion and conscience should take a back seat to his pro-abortion, -sterilization and -contraception agenda. The President might think that violating one's conscience 'is not a big deal' but to many Americans it is impossible. If the courts or Congress will not address this grave injustice, civil disobedience will be inevitable."
SOURCE Family Research Council Action