BROCKTON--Republican U.S. Senator Scott Brown and his likely Democratic party opponent Elizabeth Warren are battling via commercials, media releases, and op-eds in news outlets over allowing contraception, abortion and other reproductive options as part of health insurance coverage for employees of Catholic hospitals, universities, schools and other institutions.
Here is what they are saying......
Elizabeth Warren's statement:Consumer advocate and U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren in a statement released Feb. 15, said a Republican proposal that would allow any employer or insurance company to deny anyone access to any health service is irresponsible.
“This is a completely new attack that threatens everyone’s health care,” Warren said of the proposal, introduced by Senator Roy Blunt,(R-MO) and co-sponsored by Senator Scott Brown,(R-MA). "It is an irresponsible assault on the health care of every family in Massachusetts and around our country. I respect the solution President Obama provided last week that ensures that religious institutions are not forced to cover contraception but still makes sure women can get the health services they need. This new bill is not about any of that. This bill would allow any employer or insurance company to refuse to cover anyone for anything,” Warren said.
Warren said the Blunt-Brown bill is different from previous proposals, taking an extremely broad approach that allows any employer or insurance company to claim any objection and use it to deny any health insurance coverage to anyone, for any health service. The company needs to claim only that it has a "moral conviction," an expansive term that is not defined in the proposed legislation.
“Scott Brown is on the wrong side here, standing with Washington and Republican extremists and against the people of Massachusetts--our families, our seniors, and everyone who relies on health insurance to get the care they need,” Warren said.
The amendment, supported by Brown, was introduced as President Obama offered a compromise to religious institutions that were uncomfortable with offering contraceptive and other health care coverage to their employees. Supporters of the amendment wrongly claim it writes the compromise into law. In fact, it would undermine health insurance and health care, especially recently passed reforms expanding coverage.
HERE'S WHAT SCOTT BROWN HAS TO SAY: The Brown campaign Thursday, Feb. 23 released the fifth edition of the Scott Brown Radio Report, entitled “Religious Freedom.”
The statewide radio ad began running Feb. 23.
"Senator Brown supports a conscience exemption from a new federal mandate that would force religious organizations to offer insurance coverage for practices that go against the teachings of their faith. This 60-second advertisement is part of a series of “Radio Reports” to be released by Brown during the course of the campaign.
If you would rather read what is said in the broadcast here is a copy of the script: “Hello, this is Scott Brown. Religious freedom has always been one of our most precious rights.
It’s what brought the Pilgrims to our shores hundreds of years ago – so they could freely practice their faith.
That’s why I’m concerned about a new federal mandate forcing religious organizations to offer insurance coverage for practices that go against the teachings of their church.
Such a requirement flies in the face of our basic American values of religious tolerance.
Like Ted Kennedy before me, I support a conscience exemption in health care for Catholics and other people of faith.
I believe it’s possible to provide people with access to the health care they want, while at the same time protecting the rights of Americans to follow their religious beliefs.
For me, the conscience exemption is a matter of fundamental fairness – and a right to be protected for all Americans, of every party and every faith.”
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