—
In the ongoing debate over health care, the Obama administration is making a stride toward the center of the aisle.
It was announced Friday the president plans to offer an exemption for mandated birth control coverage to hospitals, charities and universities that feel their religious freedoms would be violated by such a mandate.
The same day, Alabama Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, R- Auburn, in a press release said the state House will propose a bill making President Obama’s health care legislation concerning contraceptives null and void if an employer feels it violates their religious beliefs.
Obama’s plan states that nonprofit employers may opt out, but those employees would still be offered free birth control through a separate insurance plan specifically for this instance. Alabama’s plan provides an out for any type of employer who wants out, but does not make provisions for the employees.
Rep. Dan Williams said he didn’t know how the Obama announcement would affect the plans in Montgomery, but said he would support Alabama’s current proposed measures, known as H.B. 108, or the Religious Liberty Act.
“It seems to do what we want it to do, so maybe the Administration has seen the light,” Williams said.
The Religious Liberty Act and the Obama plan come after months of protests nationwide about a clause in the National Health Care Act, referred to by critics as Obamacare, that stipulated employers would be required to provide insurance coverage for birth control and abortion drugs. Church-based hospitals and businesses owned by openly religious CEOs cried foul and sent complaints to the White House.
After the Supreme Court upheld the health care act, the protests intensified.
Rep. Mac McCutcheon was on the platform committee that helped arrange this session’s legislative agenda. He said the Religious Liberty Act is a response for Alabamians, who contributed the topics for the agenda, based on the theme “We Dare Defend Our Rights.”
“I’m going to be supportive of (H.B. 108),” McCutcheon said. “(Business owners) should have the right to run their business as they see fit. The government doesn’t need to step in and tell a business what they should and shouldn’t do … especially when it comes to religious beliefs or freedoms.”
NAACP State Conference Chairman Benard Simelton of Athens said he had not read the Religious Liberty Act yet, but will have studied it by the time the Legislature opens the floor this Tuesday. The Alabama NAACP has been opposed to Gov. Bentley’s decision to opt Alabama out of the National Healthcare Act and the state’s proposed Medicaid reforms.
H.B. 108 is just one hot-button issue the Alabama Legislature will address as part of the “We Dare Defend Our Rights Agenda.” In addition to health care, other sections include gun control, education and the economy — all states rights controversies.
Local News
Mandated birth control exemption planned
- Local News
-
-
UPDATE: I-65 wreck kills 1, injures 3
James Thomas Shaddy Jr., 69, of Petersburg, Tenn., died Tuesday night at the scene from blunt-force trauma after he was ejected from the 2002 GMC Envoy he was riding in, said Limestone Coroner Mike West.
-
Error in fatal shooting case prompts attorney to seek bail for Moyers
Woodroof said after Wednesday’s hearing he would consider the matter of bail and render his decision.
- Alabama 19th in federal revenue for state spending
-
County Commission chairman has online impostor
Stanley Menefee, 68, chairman of the Limestone County Commission and a Republican, was alerted last week that someone had created a Facebook page masquerading as ... Stanley Menefee.
-
Interior demolition completed on temporary courthouse
Once the courts move into their temporary quarters, renovations to the second and third floors of the Limestone County Courthouse can resume.
-
Board approves Garris as new Elkmont principal
The Limestone County Board of Education approved the contract for Garth Garris, 44, during Tuesday’s board meeting. Garris was named the new principal of Ekmont High School, and he begins work June 24.
-
KALB moves forward on Farmers Market green space
Kevin Bryant of Turf Doctor Inc. has also been brought on board as a consultant for planting and overall design. Hart said Bryant is assisting the team with the science involved in growing healthy foods. Their main goal is to cultivate produce without using pesticides.
-
Low-performing list unveiled with 78 schools
No schools within the Limestone or Athens school systems were identified as schools needing improvement on the complete 78-school list revealed by state Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice during a mid-morning press conference in Montgomery.
- 'Refuse to Be a Victim' class location changed
- 3,000 without power in West
- More Local News Headlines
-
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
Aug. Trial Set for Ohio Man in Triple Kidnapping
Car Crash in NYC's East Village Injures 8
