Toomey Co-Sponsors Bill To Provide Religious Exemption From Health Care Mandate

Press Release

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) today co-sponsored the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 2012 (S. 2043) which would provide a religious exemption from a Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) regulation forcing members of religious entities to violate their deeply-held religious beliefs or potentially pay a heavy financial penalty.

The rule requires all group and individual health plans to provide coverage for prescription contraceptives and female sterilization, exempting only those religious employers who primarily serve and employ individuals who share their religious tenets. Catholic and other denominational hospitals, universities, colleges, nursing homes and charities would find it virtually impossible to comply with this narrow exemption, given the diverse workforces and populations that they serve.

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act ensures that employers have the opportunity to provide health coverage for their employees that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions, without fear of being penalized or discriminated against under PPACA.

The legislation is sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and is also cosponsored by Sens. John Bozeman (R-Ark.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Dan Coats (R-Ind.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Jon Kyl (Ariz.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), John Thune (R-S.D.), David Vitter (R-La.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). The text of the legislation is available here.

"I am extremely concerned that this regulation would force religious employers to violate their religious beliefs in order to keep their doors open," Sen. Toomey said. "Many Pennsylvania hospitals, charities and schools have expressed concerns about the effect this new regulation would have on their ability to operate and provide important community services. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act alleviates this problem exempting institutions with religious and moral objections. I hope President Obama will work with Congress and grant a meaningful exemption to protect the rights of religious entities."

Sen. Toomey has also co-sponsored the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (S. 1467) and has written a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius about this matter. His letter can be read here.

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