NCSD Signs Letter Opposing Harmful Senate Amendment
On February 14, NCSD joined over 80 colleague organizations in sending a letter to members of the United States Senate opposing a harmful amendment that would allow any employer or insurance plan, with or without religious affiliation, to refuse to cover any service required under the new health care law based on undefined religious or moral objections. Introduced by Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), this amendment’s main target is blocking the Administration’s recently announced regulation that implements a portion of the health care reform law requiring employers to cover preventative services, including contraception, to their employees at no additional cost. While the firestorm of this discussion has been around contraception, Senator Blunt’s amendment is worded so broadly as to allow employers to refuse to cover any preventative service they find objectionable, including STD and HIV screening and treatment.
This amendment has been introduced to the Surface Transportation Bill and will likely be voted on during the week of February 27, after the Senate returns from a recess for the President’s Day Holiday. NCSD will keep you updated on the outcome of this vote.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Stephanie Arnold Pang, NCSD’s Manager, Policy and Communications at sarnold@ncsddc.org or 202-715-3865.
- © National Coalition of STD Directors 2011
- Contact Us
- Site Map
- Privacy Policy
- Terms of Use
