The Christian Science Committee on Publication Federal Office works with congressional, executive, and regulatory offices in our nation’s capital. Below is a recent update on what is happening in the news regarding health care reform.

Religious conscience—and Christian Science—in the news

The new health care law requirement to provide employees of religiously-affiliated institutions with contraceptive services has sparked a national debate about religious freedom in health care. The contraception issue is importantly distinct from the concern of Christian Scientists, though attention paid to conscience issues generally has helped raise awareness on Capitol Hill. We continue to build bipartisan support for a solution for Christian Scientists under the health care law, which currently provides neither an accommodation for the type of care we use nor an exemption that applies to Christian Scientists.

In a few cases, the media inaccurately reported that Christian Scientists are exempt from or accommodated by the individual mandate to purchase insurance; the Committee on Publication corrected these inaccuracies. In other instances, some pundits and lawmakers tried to stereotype Christian Science and pull it into the polarizing and emotional issue of birth control. Whenever appropriate, the Committee—with the help of other church members—has responded according to our mission in removing “impositions on the public in regard to Christian Science”.

To see a sampling of related articles mentioning Christian Science use this link.