Date:
Thursday, October 23, 2014
by Cheryl Sullenger | LifeNews.com | 10/22/14 1:18 PM
To the dismay of California’s people of faith, the California Department of Managed Health Care has
reclassified abortion as a “basic health service” under the Affordable Care Act and ordered all insurance
plans in the state to begin covering surgical abortions immediately. Even churches are not exempt from
funding abortions.
Operation Rescue opposes this policy that
forces men and women who deeply oppose
abortion on religious grounds to fund
surgical abortion in violation of their faith,
and encourages others to oppose it as well.
“Since Obamacare was first introduced, we
warned that the day could come when
Christians would be required by the state to
violate their consciences through forced
payments for abortion,” said Troy Newman,
President of Operation Rescue. “Now, with
this mandate in California that imposes
forced abortion funding on churches, it has
come time for men and women of faith to stand against this tyranny and refuse to comply with this unjust
law that would make us accessories to the taking of innocent human life.”
Last year, Operation Rescue launched the “Pledge for the Preservation of Life and Liberty,” which has
been signed by most of the nation’s best respected pro-life leaders.
This Pledge has been carefully crafted to stand as a ‘line in the sand’ regarding any scenario in which the
Affordable Care Act forces individuals to participate – whether directly or indirectly – in the destruction of
human life. In short, the pro-life movement has chosen one answer to being forced to fund abortion
through healthcare: We will not comply.
“I have made the decision not to comply with any unjust law that would force me to pay for abortions – no
matter the personal cost to me,” Newman said. “Instead, I have chosen to engage in peaceful civil
disobedience rather than violate my faith and conscience. Those in California need to understand that this
assault on our religious liberties is just the beginning. It will never end if we do not stand firm today and
refuse to fund abortions. Religious freedom and the lives of babies that would be lost if we capitulate are
more than worth the personal sacrifice. I invite Californians to join me in resisting this evil mandate.”