16 May 2013

An international association of pro-life pharmacists reported Wednesday that it was subjected to ongoing harassment and intimidation by the IRS. Pharmacists for Life International (PFLI), based in Powell, Ohio, joins the ever-growing list of conservative organizations announcing that they were targets of the agency.

PFLI reported that the IRS continually harassed at least two of its members with costly audits and intimidating letters over a period of months and years. On Friday, the IRS admitted that it was wrong to target groups with “tea party” or “patriot” in their names. Since then, other groups — including the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Samaritan’s Purse, the Biblical Recorder, and Family Talk Action — have said that they, too, have been targeted.

And now, pro-life organizations are coming forward.

15 May 2013

Organizations across the country are encouraging people to contact their U.S. representatives today asking them to support a bill that would protect conscience rights for nonprofit, faith-based institutions and for- profit businesses.

Lawmakers introduced the Health Care Conscience Rights Act (HCCRA) measure in March. The legislation would provide full exemption on religious or moral grounds from the Obama administration’s Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate requiring most employers to offer potential abortion-induction drugs in their employee health plans. It would also ensure protection for individuals and health care organizations that choose not to offer, pay for, or refer patients to abortion sellers because of their religious convictions.

“If (HCCRA) passes this summer, it puts an end to the problems with the HHS mandate, which is one of the biggest crises of the First Amendment that the Obama administration has put the though,” Connie Marshner, chair of 101 Meeting, told CitizenLink. The District of Columbia religious freedom group spearheaded today’s mass email campaign urging organizations and individuals to contact their representatives.

14 May 2013

The House of Representatives is expected to decide Thursday whether to repeal the new federal health care law. This vote represents the 37th attempt to repeal all or part of the law.

Signed into law in March 2010, Obamacare requires businesses to offer government-approved health insurance to employees who work at least 30 hours per week. Not only does it increase health care costs for businesses, a provision of the law — the Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate — requires most companies to offer coverage for possible abortion-inducing drugs.

“Obamacare represents a huge power grab by the government, regulating an industry that represents one-fifth of the nation’s economy,” said Carrie Gordon Earll, senior director of Issues Analysis for CitizenLink. “And it’s loaded with taxes — the Heritage Foundation tallies it at more than $800 billion dollars extra coming out of Americans’ paychecks and pockets in the coming couple of years.”

14 May 2013

Redefining marriage harms children and families.

13 May 2013

If signed into law, Vermont would become 3rd state to legalize physician-assisted death.

10 May 2013

Sixty lawsuits are in play.

7 May 2013

Sen. Mike Lee introduced a resolution Monday that calls on federal, state and local governments to investigate illegal abortion practices and unsanitary conditions.

The Utah lawmaker is calling on the Senate to protect women and girls from “abusive, unsanitary, and illegal abortion practices.” Lee also condemned the deplorable practices uncovered at abortionist Kermit Gosnell’s Philadelphia abortion center. Gosnell is charged with murdering seven newborns and one pregnant woman.

“The facts of the Gosnell case are disturbing and heartbreaking,” Lee said. “The lack of oversight at abortions facilities puts women’s lives at risk and leads to the kind of unconscionable practices we have seen recently.”

6 May 2013

The Obama administration has surrendered its appeal against a Christian publishing company challenging a government mandate requiring that it offer potential abortion-inducing drugs in its employee health insurance plans. This marks the first complete victory in an order temporarily halting the mandate at the appeals court level.

Tyndale House Publishers, which publishes Bibles and other Christian materials, filed a lawsuit against the administration in October. A month later, a federal court temporarily halted the mandate as litigation in the case continues. The government filed an appeal in January.

“The government dismissed its appeal because it knows how ridiculous it sounds arguing that a Bible publisher isn’t religious enough to qualify as a religious employer,” said Matt Bowman senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), representing Tyndale. “For the government to say that a Bible publisher isn’t religious is outrageous, and now the Obama administration has had to retreat in court.”

29 Apr 2013

It’s not too late to make your voice heard.

In just a few months, most faith-based organizations across the country will have to comply with a government mandate requiring that they offer potential abortion-inducing drugs in their employee insurance plans. Life advocates are encouraging people to ask their member of Congress to attach conscience rights language to the next funding or financial bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Obama administration is requiring faith-based organizations — including some hospitals and universities — to comply with the Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate by August. Rep. Diane Black introduced the Health Care Conscience Rights Act last month. The act would prevent the government from discriminating against employers, individuals and health care providers that chose not to help provide or pay for abortions.

25 Apr 2013

Legislation presents grave risks to women.