GuideStone: HHS proposed rule not enough

DALLAS — GuideStone Financial Resources is working through the legislative route to address the concerns of pro-lifers regarding the abortion/contraceptive mandate. GuideStone will consider legal action if legislators fail to address the mandate’s impact on church health plans, GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins reported.

Hawkins made the comments in light of a Feb. 1 announcement by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that the federal agency said addressed the concerns of churches and religious organizations. The proposed rule change by HHS, Hawkins said, does ease the concerns of some churches who might not have been exempt from the mandate, but the proposed rule does not go far enough to protect religious organizations.