I am as interested in Catholic Questions and issues as I am in Orthodox issues so...

Is there a way for Catholic employers to get around the HHS Mandate? Can, e.g., the Catholic institutions ban together to develop health savings plans governed by the Church without including contraceptives and abortifacients in it?

The way the law is written and being interpreted by the Administration, no.

Then defiance is our only choice.

Well, duh.

Duh to you as well. That is not among the choices offered by Cardinal George.

I'm not a expert on this, and hopefully someone knowledgeable will add their perspective.

First, this isn't just a Catholic vs HHS crises, it involves any pro-life denomination or business.

There are some indemnity plans (I have one) which have fairly good benefits for hospitalization, pharmacy and doctor visits. They claim they are not "health insurance plans" so they claim to be exempt from the new regs. The diocese could enroll their employees in the plan to continue some coverage. This is the equitable way to discontinue their present health insurance without leaving their employees without any coverage. That would take care of the compassion issue.

The remaining problem is that Obamacare will make hospitalization mandatory, so the diocese is still "guilty" and would be subject to penalty. The diocese, hospital or business would have more than current costs while providing inferior employee care. The solution is much less than ideal, but is a possible "out."

There may be other legal issues but I'm unaware of them.

Another name for this is "civil disobedience", with which I've had some first-hand personal experience.

Paul,

That's the kind of thing I was looking for.

SI, You are now enrolled in the Lord's army.

CDL

Who is Cardinal George?

Perhaps one of the three most influential cardinals in the Catholic Church in America. He is Archbishop of Chicago. If I can locate one of the many articles he's written on this subject I will post the link.

Here's just one of many: http://hotair.com/archives/2012/02/27/ca...nics-charities/

Another: http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=13461

The problem with the George approach is it gives Obama what he wants. The ultimate objective is the elimination of all private charitable institutions, so that the state may become the provider of all social benefits. Closing the Catholic hospitals, nursing homes, schools and clinics plays right into this. Better by far to leave them open and refuse to provided the mandated coverage or to pay any fine for non-compliance. Eventually, the Obama Administration will have to fish or cut bait--either it sends U.S. marshals to arrest bishops, administrators and staff of these Catholic institutions, padlocking the doors and auctioning off the properties to pay back taxes and penalties; or it simply lets the Church continue to ignore the mandate. That's a win-win strategy, assuming the bishops are serious about their willingness to suffer for their faith. Which, I grant, is a big assumption.

Stuart,

I think the Obama administrative is so intent on their hatred of the USCCB that they won't back off. I expect that they will seize the hospitals for non-payment of fines.

This is the start of nationalization; Catholic hospitals, health insurers, ....

It works out well for the Church if the government does try to seize Church properties. It will lay the issue out in stark terms for all believers and serve as a rallying cry. Moreover, such an action would probably be manifestly unconstitutional and would set up the opportunity for the courts to put the Administration back in its place.

I agree. Cardinal George missed this option of defiance. I hope that doesn't indicate a weakness in the episcopal position.