SCA: Tell the Senate to Vote "NO" on the Blunt Amendment

Secular Coalition for America
This week the U.S. Senate is expected to vote on an amendment by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) that would allow employers to exclude any health insurance benefit they deem immoral or “contrary to their religious beliefs.”

If passed, this amendment would allow employers to force their religious beliefs on employees, stripping them of their personal rights to religious freedom—and the ability to make their own moral and health decisions.

Sen. Blunt’s amendment is dangerous. It could pave the way for insurers to deny coverage for all types of services, including mental health coverage and addiction treatment—as these services are opposed by some religious groups. According to several leading medical groups, including The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the March of Dimes, among others, the proposal could strip pregnant women and even infants, of critical care and services.

"The amendment would give expansive and explicit license to any employer, health plan, provider, or beneficiary to exclude any health service from insurance coverage. For instance, a small employer or health plan could ban maternity care for women due to religious convictions regarding out-of-wedlock pregnancies," the groups said in a joint statement. "Likewise, a health plan or small employer that objects to childhood immunizations, newborn screening for life-threatening genetic disorders, other components of well-child visits, or prenatal care would be fully within the law to deny coverage for any and all of these vital services," the statement continued.

The real assault on religious liberty is coming from those who wish to deny freedom of conscience to many Americans whose moral and health decisions may differ from those of a particular church, religious group or employer.

Don’t let Sen. Blunt and other supporting senators use the claim of “religious freedom” to strip Americans of their true religious lilberties—which includes the right to self determine their own religious, moral and health decisions. Tell your senator to vote “no” on the Blunt amendment.