Lansing Update: February 20, 2015

1. MCC and St. Vincent Catholic Charities Testify In Support of Adoption Bills
2. U.S. Bishops Urge Support for Health Care Conscience Rights Act

MCC and St. Vincent Catholic Charities Testify In Support of Adoption Bills

On Wednesday, February 18, staff from Michigan Catholic Conference and St. Vincent Catholic Charities in Lansing testified in support of measures that ensure faith-based child placement agencies are able to continue operating in a manner consistent with their religious beliefs. MCC issued the following statement after the hearing in the House Families, Children, and Seniors Committee on House Bills 4188–4190:

“Supporting diversity in child placement protects the presence of faith-based entities, which in turns guarantees more placements and moves more children out of the foster care system. This legislation puts children first and solidifies a public/private partnership that has been in practice now for decades… The State of Michigan has worked aggressively in recent years to strengthen its partnership with faith-based agencies in order to move more children out of foster care. This is good public policy for those who believe in diversity in child placement and having tolerance toward differing religious beliefs and cultures.”

No vote was taken in the committee this week on the measures, which are sponsored by Representatives Andrea LaFontaine (R-Columbus Township), Harvey Santana (D-Detroit), and Eric Leutheuser (R-Hillsdale). Further action is expected in the coming weeks.

U.S. Bishops Urge Support for Health Care Conscience Rights Act

On behalf of the U.S. bishops, the chairmen of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities and the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty are encouraging U.S. legislators to support the Health Care Conscience Rights Act (H.R. 940). The legislation allows those who provide, purchase, and sponsor health coverage under the Affordable Care Act to opt out of abortion, its coverage, or other specific items that are against their moral beliefs. Additionally, the bill protects these individuals and institutions from government discrimination in regards to federal funding. Here is an excerpt of the letter Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston and Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore sent to lawmakers:

“Congress should act to reaffirm a principle that has long enjoyed broad bipartisan support: Government should not force anyone to stop offering or covering much-needed legitimate health care because they cannot in conscience participate in destroying a developing human life or violate their conscience in other ways.”

To read the full letter, click here.

If you haven't done so already, please join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive regular public policy updates—including Lansing Update—via email.