We Have to Act before April 9th, 2009
Remember: The Only Way Evil Triumphs is for the Good to Remain Silent
(We ask those who may have responded to the first issuance of this alert to follow the steps to send it
again. The email linkage to HHS malfunctioned, but the problem has been resolved. We apologize for
the inconvenience and thank you for your advocacy on behalf of conscience rights.)
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published a proposal to remove a
current federal regulation which serves to protect the conscience rights of health care providers. That
regulation is one part of the range of legal protections for health care workers-for doctors, nurses and
others-who have objections in conscience to being involved in procedures that are against how they
live their faith.
”Religious liberty and freedom of conscience have been building blocks of our society since its
founding. We respect conscientious objection for those opposed to war, physicians opposed to taking
part in capital punishment, and others who object to involvement in the taking of life” said Cardinal
George, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). His message via
video as well as more information about the devastating effects of this proposed rule change can be
found at http://www.usccb.org/conscienceprotection .
We are now within what is called the public comment period (until April 9, 2009), when all Americans
are allowed to express their views on this proposed rulemaking directly to HHS. To let HHS know
that you want conscience protections to remain strongly in place, especially for those committed to
freedom of conscience, the sanctity of human life, and the ethical integrity of the healing professions:
The fastest way to respond is by email: http://www.thewscc.org/news-folder/conscience-rights-under-attack
then click in appropriate places to send your comment or email direct to HHS at proposedrescission@hhs.gov or Public Comment at: http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=SubmitComment&o=090000648090229f
or go to http://www.usccb.org/conscienceprotection to see Cardinal George’s Video then respond
Less effective:
Write:
Acting Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW,
Washington, DC 20201.
Call: 1-877-696-6775 or 202-619-0257.
If you Want to be on the Washington Catholic Conference web page and alerts:
Sign up at: http://www.usccb.org
