Like many other Americans, I am trying to stay current on the issues and the topics being put forth by the candidates – of both parties – for major public office these days. I do, however, have to also listen with an ear for those times when particular issues pertaining to the Church’s teachings or positions may be compromised or, in some cases, falsified.

Your bishops still want you to keep in mind some key areas of importance for Catholics as you deliberate and discern the candidate of your choice. The HHS mandate, for instance, is still an issue of major social concern for Americans and of particular import for us Catholics.

Last night, for example, the following statement was made during the Vice Presidential debate regarding the decision of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to force virtually all employers to include sterilization and contraception, including drugs that may cause abortion, in the health insurance coverage they provide their employees:

“With regard to the assault on the Catholic Church, let me make it absolutely clear. No religious institution – Catholic or otherwise, including Catholic social services, Georgetown hospital, Mercy hospital, any hospital – none has to either refer contraception, none has to pay for contraception, none has to be a vehicle to get contraception in any insurance policy they provide. That is a fact. That is a fact.”

This is not a fact. The HHS mandate contains a narrow, four-part exemption for certain “religious employers.” That exemption was made final in February and does not extend to “Catholic social services, Georgetown hospital, Mercy hospital, any hospital,” or any other religious charity that offers its services to all, regardless of the faith of those served.

HHS has proposed an additional “accommodation” for religious organizations like these, which HHS itself describes as “non-exempt.” That proposal does not even potentially relieve these organizations from the obligation “to pay for contraception” and “to be a vehicle to get contraception.” They will have to serve as a vehicle, because they will still be forced to provide their employees with health coverage, and that coverage will still have to include sterilization, contraception, and abortifacients. They will have to pay for these things, because the premiums that the organizations (and their employees) are required to pay will still be applied, along with other funds, to cover the cost of these drugs and surgeries.

The Bishops’ Conference continues to urge HHS, in the strongest possible terms, to actually eliminate the various infringements on religious freedom imposed by the mandate.

For more details, please see the USCCB’s regulatory comments filed on May 15 regarding the proposed “accommodation”: www.usccb.org/about/general-counsel/rulemaking/upload/comments-on-advance-notice-of-proposed-rulemaking-on-preventive-services-12-05-15.pdf

Keep your hearts and eyes open – and I’ll see you at Sunday Mass.