I just got a letter from Franciscan University of Steubenville which reads:"You are probably aware by now that the Obama Administration has mandated that all health insurance plans must cover "women's health service" including contraception, sterilization, and abortion-causing medications as a part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Up to this time, Franciscan University has specifically excluded these services and products from its student health insurance policy, and we will not participate in a plan that requires us to violate Catholic Church teaching on the sacredness of human life in the future."
Then the letter explains in detail what this will mean for the students who are not covered under their parents' health care plans. Thank God, my daughter is covered. She can be see by a Nurse Practitioner on campus for $5 however, just that any off campus referrals will have to be paid by the student.
The letter continues,
"These are challenging days for everyone as we strive to understand the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed into law in 2010. If the federal regulations change in the future, we will re-visit this decision and determine whether a different course of action is appropriate. In the meant time you need to be aware that this legislation does affect you and your decisions surrounding how you pay for medical care."
I am very proud of the bold stand for religious freedom taken by my daughter's school, and will stand with them if there are any punishments meted out by the Obama Administration.
We must stand as one, to have our voices be heard on this issue.
