Fight to protect religious, conscience rights launches in Michigan Senate

In response to a recent mandate by President Obama's Administration over conscience protection and religious freedom, Michigan prolife State Senator John Moolenaar has introduced Senate Bill 975, the Religious Liberty and Conscience Protection Act (RLCPA). This comprehensive legislation would establish state-level protections for religious and conscience rights in three areas related to health care service:

1.) No employer or individual would be forced to purchase a health care plan with objectionable services included.

2.) A health facility can decline to perform any health care service it considers objectionable.

3.) An individual health care provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, researcher, etc.) cannot be required to participate in an objectionable health care service.

This bill will face some serious push back from a variety of special interests. Your prolife voice is vital.

ACTION NEEDED: Contact your Michigan Senator with the following message: "Vote YES on SB 975! Protect Religious Liberty and Conscience Rights."

Find your legislators.

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Coercive abortions are real, Michigan legislators have a plan

The Michigan House of Reresentatives passed the Coercive Abortion Prevention Act on March 13 with \strong, bi-partisan votes of 72-37. The five bills that make up the act would be the most comprehensive anti-coercion laws on abortion in the nation. The bills add protection to Michigan law for women being coerced into having an abortion, require abortion clinics to screen for coercion and domestic violence, and give women the right to sue anyone who coerces her to have an abortion. The Michigan Senate has yet to pass a version of CAPA. Right to Life of Michigan will continue to work for timely passage of these bills and other pending prolife legislation. MORE

 

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US Senate rejects bill to protect conscience rights

The U.S. Senate narrowly voted 51 to 48 on March 1 to reject a a vital prolife amendment offered by Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). The text of the Blunt Amendment consists of the language taken from a National Right to Life Committee endorsed bill, the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (S. 1467, H.R. 1179).  It would amend the national health care law to prevent the imposition of regulatory mandates that violate the religious or moral convictions of those who purchase or provide health insurance.

A recent mandate by President Obama's Administration has caused grave concern over conscience protection and religious freedom. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate will force all employers to provide the full range of FDA-approved contraceptives including those that may cause early abortions.

This debate is not limited to the specific parameters of the birth-control mandate. The exact same statutory authority could be used by the Administration -- as early as next year -- to mandate that all health plans pay for elective abortion on demand.In addition, the same provision could be used in the future to mandate abortion coverage.

Action Item: Contact Senator Carl Levin and Senator Debbie Stabenow and let them know you are disappointed over their failure to adequately protect your conscience rights.

Senator Carl Levin (D)
269 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6221

Web Site for online comment: https://www.levin.senate.gov/contact/email/

Senator Debbie Stabenow (D)
133 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4822

Web Site for online comment: http://www.stabenow.senate.gov/?p=contact

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Where do the presidential candidates stand on life issues?

PRESIDENTIAL COMPARISON (English)
PRESIDENTIAL COMPARISON (Spanish)

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U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow does not represent most vulnerable in Michigan

It is not too soon to let friends and family members know that U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow does not represent Michigan with prolife values. Sen. Stabenow is up for re-election in 2012. During the last 10 years in the U.S. Senate, Debbie Stabenow has a 0% voting record from the National Right to Life Committee. MORE

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Federal health care reform status

After numerous conflicting rulings from lower courts, the U.S. Supreme Court decided on November 14, 2011 to hear whether the federal health care reform law is constitutional. Arguments are expected in March of 2012 and a decision is expected before the 2012 election. MORE

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President Obama's Abortion Agenda

President Obama's Record on Life

Feel free to download, print and distribute this fact sheet on President Obama's Record on Life.

 

Resources:

LifeNotes
LifeNotes is a series of educational fact sheets produced by the Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund which focus on specific life issues. LIFENOTES DIRECTORY

Congressional Contact Information
Our U.S. senators and representatives are in Washington to serve our needs. If you would like to write or speak to your senator or representative about a prolife issue or law, CLICK HERE for contact information.

Michigan Capitol Directory

Promote life by keeping in touch with Michigan lawmakers. Here is contact information for Michigan's Executive Officers (Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State and Attorney General), Michigan Senators and Michigan House Representatives.

How a Bill Becomes a Law
Learn about the legislative process in Michigan. This guide from the Michigan Legislative Service Bureau explains the steps needed for a prolife bill to become a Michigan law. LEGISLATIVE PROCESS GUIDE

Michigan Newspaper Contact List
Letters to the editor are an important part of many newspapers. These letters allow readers to voice their views and respond to stories and editorials in the paper. GO TO A LIST of addresses and fax numbers of Michigan newspapers.

Prolife Picketing
Provides information, guidelines and suggestions for prolife picketing.

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOAHC) is a legal mechanism which allows you to appoint a person (agent/patient advocate) to make health care decisions for you should you become unable to do so.