Penna Dexter

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is revamping its strategic plan for the years ahead. It is taking steps to reverse the pro-abortion emphasis the previous administration placed on its work. Now the agency is emphasizing the sanctity of human life – from beginning to end. Here’s a quote from the new document:

“HHS accomplishes its mission through programs and initiatives that cover a wide spectrum of activities, serving and protecting Americans at every stage of life, beginning at conception.”

HHS focuses on people who are in rough social and economic straits. That includes the unborn, according to the new document, which states: “A core component of the HHS mission is our dedication to serve all Americans from conception to natural death,” HHS depends upon religious groups to provide certain services. Faith-based groups on the ground have a much better read on the needy and a better ability to serve them effectively. Yet the government sometimes punishes those groups for holding firm to their religious convictions. Family Research Council points out that “HHS leans on groups like Catholic Charities to help deliver everything from health care, food and family support to addiction recovery and adoption placement.” And yet, in recent years, Catholic Charities were forced to stop facilitating adoptions in states that insisted they place children with same-sex couples. The Obama years brought a significant drop in conscience protections for healthcare providers who don’t want to perform abortions, or dispense embryo-destroying drugs and devices, or offer certain procedures like sex change operations. Numerous regulations on HHS’s books make it impossible for religious organizations to work with a clear conscience. The new folks in charge there want to remedy that. Now, HHS is asking religious groups,‘How can we make working with HHS easier?’ They have set a 30-day comment period in which the public can let them know the difficulties groups they partner with are encountering because of their regulations and barriers. To comment, go to HHS.gov