Many people are concerned that requiring religious organizations operating businesses to provide insurance that includes contraceptive services for their employees infringes upon the separation of church & state. If it does then not including such coverage is also an infringement. I'm sure that Catholic hospitals employ many non-Catholics and refusing to provide such coverage to those employees causes them to be affected by beliefs other than their own.

Other religious groups may object to other coverages provided. Some religions believe that one should not be immunized against contagious diseases. Or that medical treatment should not be sought at all, even for cancer. Should an employee of any business operated by such groups be subjected to these limitations?

It is as important that religion not be forced upon the people as it is that the people not enforce their will upon religion. It is generally accepted that in this country most employers provide insurance for their employees. That coverage should not be fine tuned to fit every possible objection regardless of how important an organization feels their objection to be. They are free to opt out and pay the alternate fees.

Shirley Bryan

Bridgeton