Overview:
On August 1, the Administration’s contraceptive and sterilization mandate went into effect. Congress must take action now to protect religious liberty and conscience rights. During the August recess, please contact your Representative and two Senators. Urge Members to support and work for enactment of the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467) this year, whether as a free-standing bill or as part of other legislation.

Background:
Under the new health care law, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) now requires most health plans under the “preventive services for women” category to cover services that many citizens find objectionable for moral and religious reasons. These objectionable services include sterilization, FDA-approved birth control (such as the IUD, Depo-Provera, ‘morning-after’ pills, and the abortion-inducing drug Ella), and “education and counseling” to promote these to all “women of reproductive capacity,” including minor girls.

The HHS mandate allows only a very narrow exemption for a “religious employer.” Religious organizations providing education, health care and charitable services to all in need have a one-year delay in enforcement but do not qualify for the exemption. There is no exemption or delay for individuals, or for businesses owned and operated by individuals with moral or religious objections.

Cardinal DiNardo, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, wrote to Congress on August 3 renewing the bishops’ call for prompt action. See: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/...

The Respect for Rights of Conscience Act provides protection of the religious beliefs and moral convictions of those who participate in the health care system. By incorporating protection of conscience rights into the new health care law, it will ensure respect for conscience in the face of the new contraceptive mandate. It must become law as soon as possible.

Action:
Please contact your U.S. congressperson and senators by using the suggested message below and urge their support for the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act.

Please support and work for the enactment of the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467) this year. As of August 1, the Administration’s contraceptive mandate went into effect for most employers. This mandate requires most health plans to cover sterilization and contraceptives, including drugs that can cause an abortion, even when employers and employees have moral or religious objections.

UNITED STATES SENATE - COLORADO

Senator Mark Udall
Washington, D.C. Office
Hart Office Building
Suite SH-317
Washington, D.C. 20510
D.C. Office:
Toll Free: 877-768-3255
Phone: 202-224-5941
Fax: 202-224-6471
Local Office: 303-650-7820
E-mail: http://markudall.senate.gov/?p=contact_us

Senator Michael Bennet
Washington, D.C. Office
702 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Toll Free: (866) 455-9866
Phone: 202- 224-5852
Fax: 202- 228-5036
Local Office: 303-455-7600
E-mail: http://bennet.senate.gov/contact/

UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - COLORADO

Congressional District 1
Congresswoman Diana DeGette D
Local Office: 303-844-4988
D.C. Office: 202-225-4431
Fax: 202-225-5657
E-mail: http://www.degette.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1045&Itemid=202

Congressional District 2
Congressman Jared Polis D
Local Office: 303- 484-9596
D.C. Office: 202-225-2161
Fax: 202-225-7840
E-mail: https://polisforms.house.gov/Forms/WriteYourRep/default.aspx

Congressional District 3
Congressman Scott Tipton R
Local Office: 719-587-5105
D.C. Office: 202-225-4761
Fax: 202-226-9669
E-mail: https://tipton.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

Congressional District 4
Congressman Cory Gardner R
Local Office: 970-221-7110
D.C. Office: 202- 225-4676
Fax: 202-225-5870
E-mail: https://gardner.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

Congressional District 5
Congressman Douglas Lamborn R
Local Office: 719-520-0055
D.C. Office: 202-225-4422
Fax: 202-225-1942
E-mail: https://lambornforms.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=138

Congressional District 6
Congressman Mike Coffman R
Local Office: 720-283-9772
D.C. Office: 202-225-7882
Fax: 202-226-4623
E-mail http://forms.house.gov/coffman/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm

Congressional District 7
Congressman Ed Perlmutter D
Local Office: 303-274-7944
D.C. Office: 202-225-2645
Fax: 202-225-5278
E-mail: https://forms.house.gov/perlmutter/webforms/contact.shtml