The USCCB urges "passage of H.R. 940 and S. 1204, the Health Care Conscience Rights Act of 2013"

Joint letters were issued on 6/21/13 by Archbishop William Lori of the USCCB and Dr. Russell Moore of the Southern Baptist Convention, to members of the U.S. House of Representatives and to members of the U.S. Senate:

"As leaders charged with the responsibility of defending religious liberty on behalf of our respective organizations, we join together to urge all members of Congress to support passage of H.R. 940 and S. 1204, the Health Care Conscience Rights Act of 2013. This bill would address threats to religious freedom and rights of conscience that have become particularly grave in the field of health care. As many people are being forced—and many others will soon be forced—to either follow what the government compels or suffer for their faith, now is the time to pass legislation that protects our God-given freedom."

While Representative Mike Fitzpatrick is a co-sponsor of HR 940 (Kudos Congressman Fitzpatrick!), neither Senator Casey nor Senator Toomey are co-sponsors of S 1204.  As per the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment: "The Obama Administration’s contraceptive/abortifacient/sterilization mandate will begin to be enforced against nonprofit religious schools, charities and health care providers on January 1, 2014."  They have a special web page (https://www.votervoice.net/NCHLA/Campaigns/30688/Respond) to facilitate individual messages to Senator Casey, Senator Toomey, Representative Fitzpatrick, and Speaker of the House John Boehner:

"Please co-sponsor the Health Care Conscience Rights Act (H.R. 940, S. 1204), and work for its approval in upcoming 'must-pass' legislation. Government must not force Americans to violate their religious and moral beliefs on respect for life when they provide health care or purchase health coverage."

The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference also has a special web page for individuals to contact President Obama, Vice President Biden, Senator Casey, Senator Toomey, and Representative Fitzpatrick, in support of the Health Care Conscience Rights Act (https://www.votervoice.net/PACC/Campaigns/30694/Respond).