Ceretto Calls On Western New York’s Congressional Delegation To Stand Up For Religious Freedom

February 7, 2012

Assemblyman John Ceretto (R,I-Lewiston) today sent a letter to Western New York’s congressional delegation urging them to support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179/S. 1467). Assemblyman Ceretto remarked that the measure will ensure that those who participate in the health care system retain the right to provide, purchase or enroll in health coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions.

The letter is in response to a decision last week by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement a narrow religious exemption for affiliated religious institutions such as hospitals and universities under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The policy change would require Catholic and other religious institutions to abandon their doctrines on reproductive issues or face catastrophic fines.

“As a Catholic and a lawmaker, I am deeply concerned by the new coverage mandate put forth by HHS and its effect on religious schools, hospitals and nonprofit groups,” said Ceretto. “I fear that if religious exemption clauses are not expanded for employers we will be forcing religious institutions to carry out procedures and promote policies which run counter to their constitutionally protected beliefs or face severe fines that could lead to the closure of thousands of health care-provider facilities.

“Moreover, it is troubling to me that the Obama administration is using health care as a stalking horse to push a secular, anti-religious agenda into the homes, schools and hospitals of individuals who vehemently disagree with these policies based on their own beliefs and convictions, said Ceretto.

“We must prevent the federal government from violating the First Amendment rights of Western New Yorkers under the guise of expanding health care to all Americans,” said Ceretto. “I strongly urge our local congressional delegation to take up this fight in Congress and expand the religious exemption clause within PPACA today.”

February 7, 2012

As a Catholic and a lawmaker I am deeply concerned by the new demands which the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will place on religious schools, hospitals and nonprofit groups. I fear that if religious exemption clauses are not expanded for employers we will be forcing religious institutions to carry out procedures and promote policies which run counter to their constitutionally protected beliefs.

I am therefore requesting that you support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179/S. 1467). This measure will ensure that those who participate in the health care system retain the right to provide, purchase or enroll in health care coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions.

It is unjust to force New Yorkers to choose between violating their conscience or forgoing their health care. This will not only erode PPACA’s mission to provide health care to all Americans, but goes against one of the founding principles of our nation, the freedom of religion.

Moreover, it is troubling to me that the Obama administration is using health care as a stalking horse to push a secular, anti-religious agenda into the homes, schools and hospitals of individuals who vehemently disagree with these policies based on their own beliefs and convictions.

While it is often the political right that is accused of trying to force their beliefs on others, this is clearly an attempt by radical political elements in our nation’s health regulatory bureaucracy to push their agenda at the expense of citizens and religious institutions.

Again, I implore you to support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act in order to give employers and individuals the choice of a health care plan that meets their medical needs without violating their moral convictions.

Sincerely,
John D. Ceretto
Member of the Assembly
138th District

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