FEBRUARY 8, 2013 - Last week the Dept of Health and Human Services issued revised rules for the Healthcare Mandate.  The USCCB, including Bishop Richard Lennon, looked forward for an opportunity to study the proposed regulations closely.  Following a review, the USCCB has issued the following statement:

WASHINGTON—The Feb. 1 Notice of Proposed Rulemakingfrom the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) shows some movement by the Administration but falls short of addressing U.S. bishops' concerns.

"Throughout the past year, we have been assured by the Administration that we will not have to refer, pay for, or negotiate for the mandated coverage.We remain eager for the Administration to fulfill that pledge and to find acceptable solutions—we will affirm any genuine progress that is made, and we will redouble our efforts to overcome obstacles or setbacks," said Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), in a February 7 statement. "Thus, we welcome and will take seriously the Administration's invitation to submit our concerns through formal comments, and we will do so in the hope that an acceptable solution can be found that respects the consciences of all.At the same time, we will continue to stand united with brother bishops, religious institutions, and individual citizens who seek redress in the courts for as long as this is necessary."

CLICK HERE to read the entire statement from the USCCB and Cardinal Dolan.

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FEBRUARY 1, 2013 - The following is a statement from Bishop Richard Lennon regarding the Department of Health and Human Services’ announcement today regarding the previously stated healthcare mandate:

The revised rules proposed today by the Obama Administration regarding the Department of Health and Human Services mandate seem encouraging.  The Bishops of the United States have strongly objected that mandatory financial support be required of health care providers for abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraceptive services.  The Bishops objected to the mandate because of its infringement upon the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution relative to the free exercise of religion. 

While it appears there is insularity for Catholic institutions, the Bishops will closely study this rule revision. The new regulations also eliminate the criteria regarding the definition of what constitutes a religious institution.  After review, it is my hope that these changes will allow the Church to withdraw its strong objections to the HHS mandate so that the Church may continue to carry out its numerous good works.

I am gratified by the strong support of Catholics throughout the Diocese of Cleveland, and our country, for their prayers, Masses, protests and other signs of unity objecting to what the government proposed as health care regulations which could have adversely affected the mission of the Catholic Church.

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The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released the following statement today:

WASHINGTON—In response to today's release of revised regulations for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, provided the following statement on behalf of the USCCB.

"Today, the Administration issued proposed regulations regarding the HHS mandate. We welcome the opportunity to study the proposed regulations closely. We look forward to issuing a more detailed statement later."