Americans United for Life Releases Video on Obamacare Abortion Mandate--Decries Unprecedented Attack on First Amendment Right of Conscience

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Americans United for Life President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest announced the launch of a nationwide, educational campaign in support of the First Amendment Right of Conscience and to expose the unprecedented attack by the Obama Administration on this fundamental right. A centerpiece to the campaign is a video that explains how by forcing an abortion-inducing drug mandate on all Americans, the Obama Administration "has put the 'Con' in contraception."

At a Women's news conference on Capitol Hill Thursday following testimony of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Dr. Yoest made the following statement:

"Americans United for Life is launching an educational website today to help people understand the coercive policies in the healthcare law that are forcing both an abortion mandate and an abortion-inducing drug mandate on all Americans - regardless of their personal beliefs. In a public relations bait-and-switch tactic, the Administration pretends that this is about contraception. But that's a con - this issue is about mandating abortion-causing drugs.

"More than 8,000 clinics across the U.S. provide contraception at little or no cost, and it is universally available in any number of retail stores. Clearly, it is readily accessible. What is at stake here is the Obama Administration's agenda of forcing all Americans to pay for life-ending drugs.

"My family has a tradition of military service so I was appalled to learn this week that our men and women in uniform and their families are being asked to spend drastically more in healthcare premiums at the same time that the Obama Administration is forcing all Americans to pay for life-ending drugs to support a so-called 'free' benefit. It is unconscionable in these harsh economic times to take scarce resources from our veterans to force universal participation in abortion-related coverage.

"Pregnancy is not a disease for which ending an unborn life is the cure. The abortion-inducing drug mandate offends me as a mother and as a woman. Children do not prevent women from achieving great things. They are among our greatest achievements.

"AUL is also releasing a cutting-edge video today that shows how the Administration is putting the 'Con' in contraception. This is part of a nationwide effort to educate Americans about the assault on their liberties and about their forced participation in a healthcare system that will take their monies to pay for life-ending drugs and devices.

"The momentum on this issue is on the side of life. In a USA Today/Gallup Poll this week, 75 percent of registered voters said they believe that forcing every American to buy health insurance or pay a fine is unconstitutional. AUL is presently engaged in defending the rights of the states to opt out of the abortion coverage in the healthcare law, as well as participating in amicus briefs defending rights of conscience. AUL stands with women and men across America who want to see our government out of the business of abortion."

Click here to watch the video.

SOURCE Americans United for Life