Monday, March 26, 2012

OK House Disapproves of HHS Contraception Mandate

Oklahoma democrat Rebecca Hamilton and republican Paul Wesselhoft authored House Resolution 1041 which reads:
WHEREAS, on January 20, 2012, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), under the direction and influence of the Obama administration, issued a final rule that requires that health insurance plans, including those of religious institutions, “cover preventive services for women including recommended contraceptive services without charging a co pay, coinsurance or a deductible”; and
WHEREAS, HHS’s rule further states that plans must cover the “full range of the Institute of Medicine’s recommended preventive services, including all FDA-approved forms of contraception”; and
WHEREAS, the FDA’s list of approved methods of contraception includes abortifacients, which are abortion drugs prescribed to kill life in the womb after conception; and
WHEREAS, this new mandate sets a dangerous precedent for American democracy and undermines the U.S. Constitution; and
WHEREAS, this mandate is a wholesale assault on the specific protections of religious liberties afforded to all Americans by the First Amendment, which states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 53RD OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
THAT the Oklahoma House of Representatives disapproves of the final rule issued by HHS on January 20, 2012, that requires that health insurance plans, including those of religious institutions, cover preventive services for women including recommended contraceptive services without charging a copay, coinsurance or a deductible.
THAT the Oklahoma House of Representatives urges Congress to adopt laws which would nullify the effect of such rule.
THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to President Barack Obama, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and each member of the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation.

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