Tell Your Senators to Oppose Religious Exemption from Health Care Law Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives suspended its rules to consider a radical religious exemption bill that easily passed a two-thirds majority voice vote. Now, the Center for Inquiry (CFI) has learned some unexpected and disturbing news: the Senate could take up this measure next week. S. 862, the so-called Equitable Access to Care and Health Act, would allow “individuals whose sincerely held religious beliefs would cause them to object to medical health care provided under such coverage” to be exempt from the health insurance mandate in the Affordable Care Act. The bill has 31 co-sponsors: 15 Republicans, 15 Democrats, and one Independent. Whatever you think of the Affordable Care Act, S. 862 must be opposed. By excusing religious adherents from a generally applicable law that all Americans must follow, this bill would create a special legal privilege for religious belief. The proposed exemption would affect not only the individuals requesting the exemption, but also their children — resulting in children not receiving proper care. Children should not be made to bear the burden of their parents' religious beliefs. CFI has always defended the right to freedom of religion for all persons, and will continue to do so. But this bill does not aim to protect freedom of religion; it aims to place religion on a pedestal, allowing believers to disobey a law that everyone else must follow. The application and enforcement of secular laws should not depend on the particular religious beliefs of each individual in society. We urge you to call or write your U.S. Senators right now and tell them to reject this bill! Speak out now! Share this message on social media: Recipients Your Senators Contact * Required fields * Title: Mr. Ms. Mrs. Miss Dr. * First Name: * Last Name: * Your Email: * Address 1: Address 2: * City: * State / Province: Choose a State AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY AS FM GU MH MP PR PW VI * ZIP / Postal Code: * Phone Number: Yes, I would like to receive periodic updates and communications from Center for Inquiry. Remember me. What's this? Message Reject S. 862! Dear [Decision Maker], As a friend of the Center for Inquiry, I am writing to urge you to oppose S. 862, a religious exemption bill that has already passed the House and could hit the Senate floor next week.



* Personalize your message S. 862, the so-called Equitable Access to Care and Health Act, would allow "individuals whose sincerely held religious beliefs would cause them to object to medical health care provided under such coverage" to be exempt from the health insurance mandate in the Affordable Care Act. Whatever you think of the Affordable Care Act, S. 862 is problematic. By excusing religious adherents from a generally applicable law that all Americans must follow, this bill would create a special legal privilege for religious belief. The proposed exemption would affect not only the individuals requesting the exemption, but also their children -- resulting in children not receiving proper care. Children should not be made to bear the burden of their parents' religious beliefs.



At the very least, S. 862 deserves a formal hearing and committee consideration to explore its merits and implications. As it stands, I urge you to reject this bill.



I look forward to hearing from you about this matter. Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State ZIP]