Protest Letter Sent to HHS Secretary About Two-Class Religious Scheme Print PDF

Written by IRFA | 11 June 2012

The federal administration has created a dangerous two-class system of religious organizations by the way it is dealing with the religious-freedom implications of the health insurance contraceptives mandate.

 

 

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Contraceptives Mandate Action Memo for Parachurch Groups Print PDF

Written by IRFA | 29 April 2012

IRFA has written a guide for faith-based service organizations about the health insurance law’s contraceptives/abortifacients mandate and its narrow exemption and promised accommodation. The guide is designed to assist leaders in deciding how to respond to the mandate when making their health insurance decisions.  It includes information on how to comment on the promised accommodation and a protest letter to the HHS Secretary that leaders can sign.

Click here for the pdf file .

Audio FAQ on Federal Contraceptives Mandate Print PDF

Written by IRFA | 08 August 2012

The contraceptives mandate came into effect August 1, 2012, for plan years that begin on or after that date, yet there are exemptions, a promised accommodation, and delayed enforcement for some organizations. Click here for the MP3 file of a July 31 IRFA conference call on the mandate: what it is, what it covers, who is and isn’t exempt, and what (few) alternatives are available to organizations with a conscientious objection to some or all of the mandated “contraceptive services.” The call features Scott Ward and Patrick Purtill of the Gammon and Grange law firm.

Hosanna-Tabor: A Big Victory for Religious Freedom Print PDF

Written by IRFA | 20 January 2012

The US Supreme Court announced on January 11, 2012, a stunning victory for religious freedom.  Unlike most church-state decisions, this one was unanimous.  The nine justices together administered a sharp rebuff to the federal government, which had argued against the principle upheld by the Supreme Court.  That principle is the right of religious organizations to choose their own leaders.   Thus the decision vindicated the religious freedom of religious organizations—distinct from the usual focus on the religious rights of individuals.  And here the freedom of religious organizations was upheld against a claim of discrimination.

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ADVICE TO THE PRESIDENT

The federal faith-based initiative, extending back into the Clinton administration, has always been about improving the government's relationship with private organizations--secular and faith-based, large and small--that serve needy people and communities. It has involved many program innovations, organizational changes, and reforms of rules. At the center has always been action to ensure that faith-based organizations can collaborate with government programs without having first to suppress or hide their religious identity and faith-shaped practices.

President Barack Obama has promised an expanded and improved faith-based initiative. At a minimum, his initiative must not backtrack on the gains that have been made to ensure equal opportunity for faith-based organizations to participate in federally funded programs.

Equally important, the President should work with Congress to ensure that other federal rules and regulations--in areas that do not necessarily involve government funds, such as accreditation, employment rules, and tax-exempt status--are fair to faith-based organizations, safeguarding their religious identity and characteristics.

For the Coalition to Preserve Religious Freedom's advice to candidate Barack Obama,  go here .