Health care reform and the HHS birth control mandate
The U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on June 28, 2012. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod opposes the birth control mandate that is part of the law because it runs counter to the biblical truth of the sanctity of human life and creates a conflict of conscience for religious employers and insurers who face steep penalties for non-compliance based upon their religious convictions. The birth control mandate enacted Jan. 20, 2012, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requires employers to provide access to health insurance that covers most forms of birth control, even those that can cause the death of an unborn child.
The rule, or mandate, exempts churches but applies to other religious employers. On Feb. 10, President Obama announced an “accommodation” for religious employers, saying they would not have to cover birth control, but that insurance companies would provide free birth control, including “morning after” pills. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) objects to the use of drugs and procedures that are used to take the lives of unborn children, who are persons in the sight of God from the time of conception.
Videos
LCMS President Matthew C. Harrison announces the release of "Free Exercise of Religion: Putting Beliefs into Practice," an open letter opposing the recent U.S. Health and Human Services contraceptive mandate on the grounds that it is an infringement of our God-given right to act according to the tenets of our faith. Twenty-four other religious leaders joined in signing the letter.
>>View more HHS mandate videos
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statements to the Church
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Resources
Bulletin Inserts
Life Conference
Frustrated and confused by discussions about birth control coverage and government mandates? Learn how to articulate the LCMS’ pro-life stance in the public square by attending the largest LCMS pro-life event ever on Jan. 25-26, 2013.
www.lcmslifeconference.org
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Call to Action
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Pray for our church as a community of believers, for our neighbors and especially those who have yet to know Jesus Christ as the Savior of all mankind, and for wisdom for our government’s leaders and our elected representatives.
Learn
Learn about our rights under the U.S. Constitution to freely exercise our beliefs and to speak of Jesus Christ and our conscience in the public square.
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Audio
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