In the wake of the Obama Administration mandating employer coverage of contraceptives under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) introduced a bill that would allow employers to not offer coverage for any preventive health service due to religious objections. The amendment is due for a vote in the Senate as early as Thursday March 1st. See the following links to easily contact your Senators and ask them vote against the amendment.
Under the measure, an insurer or an employer would be able to claim a moral or religious objection to covering HIV/AIDS screenings, Type 2 Diabetes treatments, cancer tests or anything else they deem inappropriate or the result of an “unhealthy” or “immoral” lifestyle. Similarly, a health plan could refuse to cover mental health care on the grounds that the plan believes that psychiatric problems should be treated with prayer.
GOP Ups The Ante, Introduces Legislation To Allow Any Employer To Deny Any Preventive Health Service
The Blunt Amendment is not just bad for women but could threaten insurance coverage for all of us.
Daily Kos has a campaign that will easily let you send an e-mail to your Senators. The American Humanist Association has a form as well.
It is important to call them or e-mail your Senators as soon as possible to help stop the Blunt Amendment.