USCCB Officials Urge HHS Not to Require Coverage of Contraception, Sterilization

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 20, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) should not require coverage of contraception or sterilization in group and individual health plans as part of “preventive” services for women, said representatives of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) this week. The HHS is currently deliberating on a final list of required preventive services under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

“These drugs, devices and procedures prevent not a disease condition, but the healthy condition known as fertility,” said Anthony Picarello, USCCB general counsel, and Michael Moses, associate general counsel, in a September 17 letter to HHS. They added that contraception and sterilization “pose significant risks of their own to women’s life and health; and a federal program to mandate their inclusion would pose an unprecedented threat to rights of conscience.”

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