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Shortey applauds Doak’s efforts to protect religious liberties in healthcare

Sen. Ralph Shortey Sen. Ralph Shortey

Sen. Ralph Shortey on Monday applauded Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak for taking a stand against the federal government’s attempt to force religious institutions to offer birth control, sterilization and abortifacients to their employees.

Doak this week will introduce a resolution at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Spring 2012 national meeting urging his peers to protect religious liberties in healthcare.

“I’m grateful Commissioner Doak understands that such a mandate betrays contempt for the First Amendment and the established rights of our religious institutions,” said Shortey, R-Oklahoma City. “After first attempting to force religious institutions to offer birth control, he now wants to force insurance providers to do the same. This is the risk we run in electing a president who understands no limiting principle for what the federal government can and should do.”

Shortey called on state lawmakers and elected officials across the country to urge their Insurance Commissioners to support Doak’s resolution.

“It’s time to send a message to the president that we won’t stand for this attempt to curtail religious liberty,” Shortey said. “This is an effort so opposed to the fundamental character of our country that every American should be aware of the dangerous precedent it creates. I applaud Insurance Commissioner Doak for taking a stand for religious liberty in this matter.”

Contact info
Sen. Shortey: (405) 521-5557