The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention is disappointed with the Supreme Courts decision to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in its entirety.
It is astonishing that the majority of the justices did not see the bill for what it really is: a blatant violation of the personal freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution and perhaps a mortal blow to the concept of federalism, said Richard Land, president of the ERLC.
Land noted, because of this bill, every individual not already covered through an employer will be required to purchase health care coverage or pay a fine. When a government begins forcing citizens to purchase what it thinks is important or necessary, that government takes a dangerous step away from the freedom-embracing, democratic model, Land said.
Another immediate implication of the decision is that the foundation of the contraceptive mandate issued by the Department of Health and Human Services remains intact, Land continued. This mandate requires health insurers to provide free access to contraceptives and abortion-inducing products. Because this mandate includes only an extremely narrow exemption for churches that meet specific criteria, thousands of faith-based organizations will be forced to enable their employees to obtain access to these services, services that many of them find morally reprehensible, Land said.
Greater government involvement in medical care also means that the sick, elderly and terminally ill will suffer, Land said, suggesting many patients in need will have to wait longer to receive treatment as the government decides how to best allocate resources.
Admitting health care reform is needed, Land said the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is not the solution.
With its far-reaching effects, Obamacare will destroy much of what Americans hold dear, Land said.
The ERLC will continue to fight for policy that promotes affordable, high quality, and universal health care that is consistent with our biblical convictions and the United States Constitution, he concluded.
p(notes). The Southern Baptist Convention is Americas largest non-Catholic denomination with more than 16.2 million members in over 44,000 churches nationwide. The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is the SBCs ethics, religious liberty and public policy agency with offices in Nashville, Tenn. and Washington, D.C.
p(notes). To request an interview with Dr. Richard Land, contact Elizabeth Wood at (615) 782-8401, or by e-mail at [email protected].
