In a shocking letter dated Aug. 22, the state of California, backed by Gov. Jerry Brown, informed a number of Christian Churches and Catholic universities that they must provide insurance for their employees that includes coverage for elective abortion.
In the letter Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) Director Shelley Rouillard wrote that California law "requires the provision of basic health care services," which she says includes abortion. Likewise, she said, "the California Constitution prohibits health plans from discriminating against women who choose to terminate a pregnancy."
The letter marked a sharp reversal from a previous decision to grant exemptions from the mandate to institutions with deeply held objections to abortion. This included Loyola Marymount University and Santa Clara University, which had recently decided to strengthen their Catholic identity by dropping elective abortion coverage from their employee health plans.
In response to the aboutface, seven churches, the California Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Loyola Marymount University filed a lawsuit against the abortion mandate, arguing that it untenable based upon both federal and state law.
That legal action is ongoing and requires the urgent support of pro-life people all around the world! Please sign this urgent petition, and then share it with your friends.
