News Releases

Michigan Catholic Conference Legal Response to HHS Mandate

Posted May 21, 2012

Michigan Catholic Conference President and C.E.O. Paul A. Long is speaking in opposition today to House Bill 4769, legislation intended to prohibit the application of foreign law in Michigan. Michigan Catholic Conference is strongly opposed to this bill because of its likely impact on the application of Catholic canon law in the state.

Michigan Catholic Conference released the following statement regarding today's announcement of the formation of a Michigan Legislative Prayer Caucus.

The votes of Michigan’s U.S. senators, Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, against the Blunt Amendment represent an unacceptable position—one that seeks to inflict significant monetary damages on religious employers who will abide by their consciences rather than the dictates of the state. Today’s vote may not be the end of legislative efforts to protect conscience rights, and this critical issue will almost certainly be addressed by the courts. As such, the Catholic Church, numerous other faith denominations and persons of goodwill will continue to oppose the HHS mandate in all three branches of government. While these efforts are underway, opposition from the Catholic faithful, along with consistent and clear teaching from the bishops in the State of Michigan, will continue in order to protect religious liberty rights in our great nation.

“Michigan Catholic Conference applauds the Michigan House of Representatives for supporting this Resolution and commends House leadership for acting to support conscience rights and the First Amendment Right to Religious Freedom.”

A recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate that forces religious employers to violate their consciences by including morally objectionable services in their health benefit plans represents a broad attack on the constitutional right to religious freedom and the conscience rights of all Americans, Michigan Catholic Conference testified today before the House Government Operations Committee.

“Rebecca has developed a highly impressive track record advocating on behalf of the public policy issues that are of key concern to this organization, and we are quite pleased that she will be joining our team to help promote them in the Michigan Legislature,” said Tom Hickson, MCC Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy.

Michigan Catholic Conference Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy Tom Hickson made the following comments this evening after Governor Snyder urged the Michigan Legislature during the State of the State Address to pass dual enrollment legislation.

As the Michigan Legislature continues its review of a package of bills that reforms education policy in the state, Michigan voters have responded to a recent statewide survey overwhelmingly in favor of having the ability to choose where their child receives an education.

The purpose of these education reform bills is to move Michigan toward a more robust public school system and to streamline existing policies that benefit nonpublic students and families. Parents are the primary educators of their children and as such should have as many educational options available for their children.

Michigan Catholic Conference Legal Response to HHS Mandate

Citing Likely Impact on Canon Law, MCC Urges Opposition to “Anti-Foreign Law” Bill

On the Formation of the Michigan Legislative Prayer Caucus

On the U.S. Senate Respect for Rights of Conscience Act Vote

MCC Applauds Michigan House for Opposing HHS Mandate, Standing for Religious Liberty

MCC Welcomes Michigan House Resolution Opposing HHS Mandate

Rebecca Mastee Joins MCC as Policy Advocate

Catholic Conference Applauds Dual Enrollment Push in State of State Address

New Poll Indicates Overwhelming Statewide Support for School Choice

Statement in Support of Senate Passage of Education Reform Legislation