“Obamacare is a landmark anti-life healthcare law, forcibly and unfairly intertwining all Americans and their hard-earned money with the abortion industry,” said AUL’s Dr. Charmaine Yoest.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (09-12-13) – Americans United for Life filed its sixteenth amicus curiae brief in a legal challenge to Obamacare, in defense of freedom of conscience. In its brief filed in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, AUL argues that the Obama Administration’s “HHS Mandate” violates the First Amendment freedom of conscience by forcing employers to provide insurance coverage for life-ending drugs and devices—without regard to the employers’ consciences or religious beliefs. “Obamacare is a landmark anti-life healthcare law, forcibly and unfairly intertwining all Americans and their hard-earned money with the abortion industry,” said Americans United for Life President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest. “This brief is part of a multi-level defense of the Constitutional Right of Conscience of all Americans.”
She continued: “The Obama Administration is threatening the religious liberties of America’s citizens and entrepreneurs. Instead of focusing on the economy and working to improve the financial stability of our nation, the Administration is litigating cases all over the country in the effort to compel conscientious businesses and business-owners to pay for life-ending drugs and devices.”
AUL’s brief was filed in Domino’s Farms Corp. v. Sebelius, a case filed by Domino’s Farms and Thomas Monaghan, founder of Ava Maria University and the Domino’s Pizza chain. Mr. Monaghan is a devout Catholic and follows the tenets of the Catholic faith in his business practices. His faith prevents him from paying for or otherwise supporting contraception or abortion, but the Obama Administration’s coercive mandate will force him – and other employers – to provide insurance coverage for life-ending drugs.
A federal district court in Michigan previously enjoined the Mandate as it applies to Domino’s Farms, ruling in March that the Mandate will not apply while the case is being litigated. The Obama Administration appealed.
AUL’s brief, available here, demonstrates that the life of a new human being begins at fertilization (conception), that “emergency contraception” has a post-fertilization effect that can prevent a new human being from implanting in the uterus, and that forcing employers to provide coverage for such life-ending drugs violates their constitutionally protected freedom of conscience.
The brief was filed on behalf of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Christian Medical Association, Catholic Medical Association, National Catholic Bioethics Center, Physicians for Life, and National Association of Pro Life Nurses.
For more information on life-affirming healthcare, visit AUL’s unique project, Real Healthcare Respects Life.
