President Obama said that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is not perfect and should be considered a work in progress. He also said that some aspects of the bill can be debated and updated for continuous improvement.

I am not advocating for a repeal of the PPACA. But, this bill, as it is, forces those who share my belief(s) to pay for things that go against our religious beliefs. If two people choose to have sex, then there is a potential consequence and that should remain their responsibility. If their purchase of condoms and the morning-after pill go against my beliefs, then that should be respected and they should not force me to violate my beliefs.

House Resolution 1179, Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011, amends the PPACA to permit a health plan to decline coverage of specific items and services that are contrary to the religious beliefs of those offering the plan or the purchaser or beneficiary (in the case of individual coverage) without penalty. It declares that nothing in PPACA should authorize a health plan to require a provider to provide, participate in, or refer for a specific item or service contrary to the provider’s religious beliefs or moral convictions. Please support HR1179, and thank you for your time and service to our country.

ROBERTO VIZCARRA
West Valley City