June 19, 2012
Submitted Electronically
Marilyn Tavenner, Acting Administrator
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Department of Health and Human Services
Room 445-G, Hubert H. Humphrey Building
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201
Re: Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Preventive Services File Code No. CMS-9968-ANPRM
Dear Ms. Tavenner:
On behalf of the Democrats for Life of America (DFLA), we respectfully submit the following comments on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“ANPRM”) on preventive services. 77 Fed. Reg. 16501 (Mar. 21, 2012). The ANPRM expresses the Administration’s intention to propose additional regulations, in order to establish “alternative ways” of “ensuring contraceptive coverage for plan participants and beneficiaries” enrolled in plans offered by non-exempt “religious organizations” that object to such coverage while, at the same time, “accommodating such organizations.” Id. at 16501.
Introduction and Summary of Points
Democrats for Life of America (DFLA) is the preeminent national organization for pro-life Democrats. We believe that the protection of human life is the foundation of human rights, authentic freedom, and good government. These beliefs animate our opposition to abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, embryonic stem cell research, poverty, genocide, and all other injustices that directly and indirectly threaten human life. As pro-life Democrats, we share the party’s historic commitments to supporting women and children, strengthening families and communities, and striving to ensure the equality of opportunity, a reduction in poverty, and the existence of an effective social safety net that guarantees that all people have sufficient access to food, shelter, healthcare, and life’s other basic necessities.
