Barbara Boxer: Right to Insurance Trumps Religious Freedom
by Steven Ertelt
Barbara Boxer, the leading pro-abortion member of the U.S. Senate, made some comments in a recent MSNBC interview that are sparking outrage across the Internet today. Boxer essentially says the right to insurance trumps religious rights and freedoms.
The comments came during an interview concerning the controversial mandate pro-abortion President Barack Obama put in place recently requiring religious groups to pay for insurance coverage for birth control and drugs that may cause abortions.
As the Washington Examiner reports:
Senator Boxer warned yesterday that if the HHS contraception mandate was repealed it would set a dangerous precedence of religious rights trumping the right to be insured.
On MSNBCs Politics Nation with Al Sharpton last night, Boxer affirmed that under the proposed amendment proposed by Sen. Roy Blunt, an employer would not be forced by the government to pay for medical practices against his religion.
I mean, are they serious? Sharpton exclaimed, How do you make a law where an employer can decide his own religious beliefs violate your right to be insured?
Oh Absolutely, Boxer said, Lets use an example, lets say somebody believes that medicine doesnt cure anybody of a disease but prayer does and then they decide no medicine.
No medicine! she exclaimed, Under the Blunt amendment, they could do just that.
The new mandate pro-abortion President Barack Obama put in place forcing religious employers to pay for insurance coverage including birth control and abortion-inducing drugs is so offensive more than 50 members of Congress will speak out against it today.
Congressman Jeff Fortenberry will hold a press conference today with supporters of the bipartisan, bicameral Respect for Rights of Conscience Act. His legislation would protect the religious liberty and conscience rights of every American who objects to being forced by the strong-arm of government to pay for drugs and procedures recently mandated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Related Links Tell Obama: Stop This Pro-Abortion Mandate
The Fortenberry bill currently has the support of approximately 220 Members of Congress and Senators, the most strongly-supported legislative remedy to the controversial HHS mandate. This measure would repeal the controversial mandate, amending the 2010 health care law to preserve conscience rights for religious institutions, health care providers, and small businesses who pay for health care coverage.
The press conference comes as the U.S. Senate is expected to vote soon, possibly as early as today, on an amendment that would stop the mandate President Barack Obama put in place to force religious groups to pay for insurance coverage that includes birth control and abortion-causing drugs.
Sen. Roy Blunt, a pro-life Missouri Republican, is putting forward the Blunt Amendment, #1520, again, and it is termed the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act. According to information provided to LifeNews from pro-life sources on Capitol Hill, the Blunt Amendment will be the first amendment voted on when the Senate returns to the transportation bill. The amendment would allow employers to decline coverage of services in conflict with religious beliefs.
Republicans are moving swiftly with legislation, amendments, and potential hearings on the mandatethe Obama administration has put in place that forces religious employers to pay for birth control and abortion-inducing drugs for their employees.
Congress will do what it can to fight back, starting this week, as pro-life Rep. Darrell Issa, a California Republican, puts together a hearing on conscience rights.
If this is what the President is willing to do in a tough election year, imagine what he will do in implementing the rest of his health care law after the election, Issa said.
Rep. Dan Lipinski, a pro-life Illinois Democrat, and a host of Republicans from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, chaired by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), will hold a hearing entitled, Lines Crossed: Separation of Church and State. Has the Obama Administration Trampled on Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Conscience? on Thursday, February 16th at 9:30AM in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building.
On Thursday, Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Ben Nelson (D-NE), and others offered Amendment #1520 to ensure Obamacare cannot be used to force health plan issuers or healthcare providers to furnish insurance coverage for drugs, devices, and services contrary to their religious beliefs or moral convictions. However, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the top Democrat, blocked the amendment.
Leading pro-life groups, including Americans United for Life, are urging support for the Amendment, which could be added to another piece of legislation.
The Obama Administration continued its unprecedented attack on Americans freedom of conscience by refusing to reverse its mandate that nearly all insurance plans must provide full coverage of all Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved contraception, including the abortion-inducing drug ella, the organization said in an action alert to its members. We must urge the Senate to protect Americans freedom of conscience by supporting Amendment #1520, which would protect the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in healthcare coverage that is consistent with ones religious beliefs and moral convictions.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement saying Obamas revised mandate involves needless government intrusion in the internal governance of religious institutions and it urged Congress to overturn the rule and promised a potential lawsuit.
Meanwhile, the Republican presidential candidates had been taking verbal swings at Obama for imposing the original mandate on religious employers, which is not popular in the latest public opinion poll and which even some Democrats oppose.
Congressman Steve Scalise has led a bipartisan letter with 154 co-signers calling on the Obama Administration to reverse its mandate forcing religious organizations to include drugs that can cause abortion and birth control in the health care plans of their employees.
Bishops across the country have spoken out against the original mandate and are considering a lawsuit against it with bishops in more than 164 locations across the United States issuing public statements against it or having letters opposing it printed in diocesan newspaper or read from the pulpit.
We cannot we will not comply with this unjust law, said the letter from Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix. People of faith cannot be made second-class citizens.
The original mandate was so egregious that even the normally reliably liberal and pro-abortion USA Today condemned it in an editorial titled, Contraception mandate violates religious freedom.
The administration initially approved a recommendation from the Institute of Medicine suggesting that it force insurance companies to pay for birth control and drugs that can cause abortions under the Obamacare government-run health care program.
The IOM recommendation, opposed by pro-life groups, called for the Obama administration to require insurance programs to include birth control such as the morning after pill or the ella drug that causes an abortion days after conception in the section of drugs and services insurance plans must cover under preventative care. The companies will likely pass the added costs on to consumers, requiring them to pay for birth control and, in some instances, drug-induced abortions of unborn children in their earliest days.
The HHS accepted the IOM guidelines that require new health insurance plans to cover womens preventive services and those services include FDA-approved contraception methods and contraceptive counseling which include birth control drugs like Plan B and ella that can cause abortions. The Health and Human Services Department commissioned the report from the Institute, which advises the federal government and shut out pro-life groups in meetings leading up to the recommendations.
Poster Comment:
Now we know where a few people on here get their justification for implementing ObozoCare!!!
Almost every country in the Middle East is awash in oil, and we have to side with the one that has nothing but joos. Goddamn, that was good thinkin'. Esso posted on 2012-01-13 7:37:56 ET
...or course not. Communists, and those of their ilk, think limitations on government are meaningless.
Do you still see still Communists under your bed every night?
Almost every country in the Middle East is awash in oil, and we have to side with the one that has nothing but joos. Goddamn, that was good thinkin'. Esso posted on 2012-01-13 7:37:56 ET
It is black and white. There are no shades of gray.
Only to the mentally ill.
Almost every country in the Middle East is awash in oil, and we have to side with the one that has nothing but joos. Goddamn, that was good thinkin'. Esso posted on 2012-01-13 7:37:56 ET
no...I can see them here...when you post. Answer the question, coward.
You have no idea what a communist country is. Try looking at Israel.
Almost every country in the Middle East is awash in oil, and we have to side with the one that has nothing but joos. Goddamn, that was good thinkin'. Esso posted on 2012-01-13 7:37:56 ET
answer the question or I'm done with the conversation. Why are YOU so privileged,so special, you are entitled to the fruits or another persons labor???
answer the question or I'm done with the conversation. Why are YOU so privileged,so special, you are entitled to the fruits or another persons labor???
I really could care less, since YOU seem to think I initiated this conversation with you
Almost every country in the Middle East is awash in oil, and we have to side with the one that has nothing but joos. Goddamn, that was good thinkin'. Esso posted on 2012-01-13 7:37:56 ET
It means that health care is not a right and it also means that Congress acts in a manner inconsistent with the US Constitution, at will.
It means that opinion is divided.
Almost every country in the Middle East is awash in oil, and we have to side with the one that has nothing but joos. Goddamn, that was good thinkin'. Esso posted on 2012-01-13 7:37:56 ET
Why do you feel entilted to the fruits of another persons labors? Is that not the very diffinition of slavery?
I look at it like this. Would I rather have some person who is well off paying a little more in taxes or would I rather see people not get the health care they need when they need it and risking death or becoming severely ill. Explain to me why I should care about the plight of the well off individual in this situation?
I look at it like this. Would I rather have some person who is well off paying a little more in taxes or would I rather see people not get the health care they need when they need it and risking death or becoming severely ill.
Death and severe illness cannot be legislated away. Even the best insurance and health care that other peoples money can buy will not stop us from dying or becoming severely ill. None of us are getting off this planet alive.
Explain to me why I should care about the plight of the well off individual in this situation?
That's not the issue. The issue is whether health care is a right, (as in constitutional) or if government has the right to tax you to pay for others health care.
They are already taxing you to feed others, even others in other countries. How much of your labor are you willing to give to others, involuntarily?
who defines "well off". Why should anyone become a slave to the needs, wants or desires of another...and unless you have given everything you own to the poor, you are a hypocrite. Forcefully taking from someone, that which they have toiled for is slavery, it places the thief in a position of king, and those stolen from, in the position of serf. The degree of theft is irrelevant.
Even the best insurance and health care that other peoples money can buy will not stop us from dying or becoming severely ill. None of us are getting off this planet alive.
So? What does that have to do with people getting the health care they need when they need it? The current system we have now with people using the emergency rooms in a crisis is not a solution.
The issue is whether health care is a right, (as in constitutional)
Its not a right and neither is food but we have programs to provide for food.
or if government has the right to tax you to pay for others health care.
The government has the "right" to tax you for "whatever" the government through its elected leaders decided to enact into law.
How much of your labor are you willing to give to others, involuntarily?
I don't know if have an exact number. If I look at specific proposal I could give you my opinion of them.
Well take a family making $300,000. If we raise the top marginal rate 4%. That family would end up paying $2000 more in taxes. I would consider that a well off family and the increase reasonable with little effect on their standard of living. Now you can call this family "serfs" but I would call them living the American dream.
why should the family making 300k, 400k or 75k be responsible for the needs, wants or desires of anybody. Marx said "from each according to their ability, to each according to their need"... This is one of the ten planks of the Communist manifesto. Do you agree with this?
I don't know if have an exact number. If I look at specific proposal I could give you my opinion of them.
well, we are 15 Trillion dollars in debt...where's the money coming from. Obviously the government you worship has corrupted itself beyond measure...and the poor are poorer, the uneducated more abundant, the unemployment exploded, the middle class is being wiped out...and you want to give them MORE of that which they have already used to bring this about. You need to SERIOUSLY re- evaluate your premises. Since the introduction of socialism/communism in this country, we've gone from the wealthiest nation on the planet, the the greatest debtor nation.
Well take a family making $300,000. If we raise the top marginal rate 4%. That family would end up paying $2000 more in taxes. I would consider that a well off family and the increase reasonable with little effect on their standard of living. Now you can call this family "serfs" but I would call them living the American dream.
Marx said "from each according to their ability, to each according to their need"... This is one of the ten planks of the Communist manifesto. Do you agree with this?
I'd say the verdict is already in on that question.
according to a few posters here the government is omnipotent. Nikita Khrushchev was right...the communists would destroy this country without firing a shot...they got hold of the educational system and the rest is history.
It's not my opinion. It's the opinions of 2 of the framers of the US Constitution. I just happen to agree.
Its a legal matter that the Supreme Court has and can deal with. Your "opinion" about the constitutionality of a law (whatever your sources) is "irrelevant."
the gravy train is about to end for you and your fellow, "you owe me" thinkers. The coming collapse will put an end to ALL entitlement programs...deal with it.
Its a legal matter that the Supreme Court has and can deal with. Your "opinion" about the constitutionality of a law (whatever your sources) is "irrelevant."
But...isn't that your opinion? LOL!
This is a political forum. We all espouse our opinions and mine is just as 'relevant' as anyone elses. That's what a forum is for. Some of us happen to post documented facts too, to back up our opinions. You should try that, instead of stomping your feet when you read something you don't like.
Has the Supreme Court given the government "unlimited" powers?
No, YOU DID when you said, "The government has the "right" to tax you for "whatever" the government through its elected leaders decided to enact into law".
why should the family making 300k, 400k or 75k be responsible for the needs, wants or desires of anybody
Because the modern civilized world has collectively decided to that government should play a role in helping poor people. If you don't like it you can move to Somalia. I don't think they have any government sponsored welfare programs there at all. If I am wrong and they do, i guess you are probably out of luck.
No, YOU DID when you said, "The government has the "right" to tax you for "whatever" the government through its elected leaders decided to enact into law".
I should have qualified my statement by saying that as long the SP doesn't strike it down.
No, YOU DID when you said, "The government has the "right" to tax you for "whatever" the government through its elected leaders decided to enact into law".
actually...I'd say NJ is right. They take your tax dollars and use it however they see fit...even illegal wars. I grew up in an era when we were told "nobody owes you anything"...what a different mindset we have today.
Because the modern civilized world has collectively decided to that government should play a role in helping poor people.
And there it is!
The constitution be damned, you want the government to do what makes you feel good, regardless of whether or not government has that legal authority, because the modern civilized world has collectively decided.
You should love both Bush and Obama then. Bush lobbied for and signed into law the single largest entitlement program this country had ever seen, until Obamacare of course.
Because the modern civilized world has collectively decided to that government should play a role in helping poor people. If you don't like it you can move to Somalia. I don't think they have any government sponsored welfare programs there at all. If I am wrong and they do, i guess you are probably out of luck.
the "modern civilized world" is not, and never have been free. based on your judgement the government should come in and take EVERYTHING you own and give it to the less "fortunate". Stealing someone's hard earned money is ANYTHING but "civilized"... I was in Russia before the wall came down...they would laugh at your ignorant nativity. no one is "EQUAL" until everyone is equally poor...except the very, very few in Government positions deciding what's "BEST" for the people. How old are you? The fact you think you are "owed" anything is absurd. You're a victim...with a victims mindset.
#101. To: NewsJunky, *The Two Parties ARE the Same* (#97)
The supreme court does not have the authority to make law or amend the constitution, but that doesn't stop them from trying. Congress is too corrupt to remove them when they violate their "term of good behavior". Most of them don't even know what good behavior is.
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul
Obama's watch stopped on 24 May 2008, but he's been too busy smoking crack to notice.
I should have qualified my statement by saying that as long the SP doesn't strike it down.
You mean..as long as it's authorized by the US Constitution.
Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes for the specific, enumerated activities listed in Article 1, Section 8;
To borrow money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes;
To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures;
To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States;
To establish post offices and post roads;
To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries;
To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court;
To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against the law of nations;
To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water;
To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years;
To provide and maintain a navy;
To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces;
To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards, and other needful buildings;--And
To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.