Columbus Protestors Say Health Care Reform Trampling Their Rights

Several hundred people demonstrated in front of the federal building in downtown Columbus Friday. They called for the repeal of a mandate issued by the Obama Administration in connection with the president’s health care reform. The mandate, say its opponents, requires employers to provide among other things, abortion-inducing drugs. The rally organizers say such a mandate is a violation of the Constitution’s First Amendment right to freedom of religion. Ruth Yorston is executive director of Greater Columbus Right to Life. “The mandate requires almost every single private insurance company – and by doing that also requires every religious organization – to provide or to pay for their employees’ contraceptives, sterilization and abortifacient drugs; drugs that actually cause the death of a living child," said Yorston. But Cathy Levine, executive director of UHCAN – the Universal Health Care Action Network says there are a number of religious groups that refuse to compromise. “Reasonable compromises have been suggested that protect the religious beliefs and make sure that women have access to affordable health care,â€? Levine says. “And these groups are being unreasonable in refusing those compromises.â€? The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments about the health care overhaul beginning Monday.