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Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) made the following statement today after the Obama Administration announced that it will not expand the exemption for religious employers from the requirement that all health plans cover contraceptives approved by the FDA:

“The President has once again ignored the conscience rights of Americans. This mandate will cause religious organizations to stop offering health insurance to their employees or violate the beliefs of their faith. I will work with my colleagues to prevent this regulation from taking effect, and enact H.R. 1179, the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act.”

The rule requires organizations like religious schools and Catholic hospitals to offer contraceptive coverage to employees covered by their health plans – even if doing so violates their faith. The new rule dramatically alters the federal framework for conscience protection and has far-reaching impacts on patients, employers, providers and faith based-institutions. The Administration will grant organizations 1-year waivers to come into compliance with the mandate.

Note: H.R. 1179, introduced by Representative Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) would allow religious organizations to decline coverage of specific items and services that are contrary to their religious beliefs. Latta sits on the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, which held a hearing on this issue on November 2, 2011.