The Anti-Sex Party

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is going to waste Florida tax dollars by challenging Obama's administration over its contraception mandate in the Affordable Care Act. Previously, Obama proposed having Catholic hospitals carry contraception coverage for its employees. The Obama administration relented after attacks from Republicans and Catholic bishops, on the grounds of religious freedom. Health insurance companies would now offer contraception directly to employees of religious hospitals. Churches would not be mandated to offer contraception. Which leads to what legal grounds does Bondi have to challenge the contraception policy in court.

Not only is the proposed contraceptive coverage mandate for religious employers bad policy, it is unconstitutional. It conflicts with the most basic elements of the freedoms of religion, speech, and association, as provided under the First Amendment. It would compel religious organizations to act, subsidize products, and affirmatively promote a message in contravention with their religious principles, with the sole alternative being to cease activities of incalculable value to their employees, constituents, and, indeed, society as a whole.

We strongly oppose the unconstitutional approach taken by the proposed contraceptive coverage mandate. We believe it represents an impermissible violation of the Constitution’s First Amendment virtually unparalleled in American history.

Accordingly, we urge you in the strongest way possible to refrain from promulgating the proposed regulations.

Sincerely,

Jon Bruning, Attorney General of Nebraska

Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas

Alan Wilson, Attorney General of South Carolina

Luther Strange, Attorney General of Alabama

Pam Bondi, Attorney General of Florida

James Caldwell, Attorney General of Louisiana

William Schneide, Attorney General of Maine

Wayne Stenehjem, Attorney General of North Dakota

Mike DeWine, Attorney General of Ohio

Scott Pruitt, Attorney General of Oklahoma

Marty J. Jackley, Attorney General of South Dakota

John W. Suthers, Attorney General of Colorado

If the health insurers are directly offering contraception to women, without involving the church, there is no rationale (however flimsy) of a violation of the First amendment. Catholic hospitals have no problem taking government Medicare and Medicaid dollars. However, Catholic bishops act like the end of days are upon us if the contraception is mentioned.

As for the Republicans, being the anti-birth control and anti-sex party makes them look insane to reasonable Americans. The sad thing is, I am not shocked that Republicans thought being anti-contraception is political gold.