Posted on 08/14/2009 7:46:22 PM PDT by Publius804
Look Who's Discriminating Now
Last week, thanks to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal government took a giant leap toward encroaching on the religious liberty of Catholics. Reuben Daniels Jr., director of the EEOC District Office in Charlotte, N.C, ruled that a small Catholic college discriminated against female employees by refusing to cover prescription contraceptives in its health insurance plan. With health-care reform looming before the country, this ruling is a bad omen for people of faith.
In 2007, eight faculty members filed a complaint against Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., claiming that the school's decision to exclude prescription contraceptives from its health-care plan was discriminatory against women. "As a Roman Catholic institution, Belmont Abbey College is not able to and will not offer nor subsidize medical services that contradict the clear teaching of the Catholic Church," said the college's president, William Thierfelder, at the time.
In March the commission informed the college that the investigation of its employee health insurance plan had been closed with no finding of wrongdoing. Inexplicably, the case was reopened, and now the college is charged with violating federal law. If Belmont Abbey doesn't back down, the EEOC will recommend court remedies.
The ruling against the college is certainly consistent with the commission's published guidance on "pregnancy discrimination." The EEOC has found that contraceptive coverage is mandated by the 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act (even though the law concerns pregnant women and does not, by strict interpretation, consider discrimination against all women of childbearing potential). North Carolina also has made its position clear with a law requiring employers to cover employees' contraceptive expenses if other prescription drugs are insured.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Ping.
Do people think this kind of thing is going to be any better under nationalized health care? They will force every leftist social idea on the nation using Health Care as the concrete into which to set it.
What is it about "shall make no law" that these idiots do not understand. I hope and pray that Belmont Abbey College sticks to its guns. I have some extras if they need them.
Perhaps the college should end medical insurance immediately, and then give the employees some money to buy their own medical insurance? Then the employees can buy whatever suit them best.
Now I am confuse - ed. If the Catholics told the women not to have sex, would that also infringe on their right not to have children?
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