GuideStone comments on forced abortion drug coverage and religious freedom encroachment in Obamacare

February 6, 2012

DALLAS - GuideStone Financial Resources, as the benefits board of the Southern Baptist Convention, strongly opposes any governmental intrusion on the ability of church health plans to reflect fundamental and long held religious convictions. As noted by Dr. Richard Land and Dr. Albert Mohler and others within Southern Baptist life, the Obama Administration's recent action requiring coverage of contraceptives goes beyond the issue at hand. O.S. Hawkins, president of GuideStone Financial Resources, added, “This encroachment on religious freedom is blatant and outrageous and should be taken seriously by those of us who are part of the body of believers, as well as by others who respect and regard this nation's history and constitutional foundation.”

For many decades, GuideStone has been privileged to provide healthcare coverage to ministers and others serving churches and church-related organizations. GuideStone's plans are specifically designed to reflect Southern Baptist polity and to provide benefits in a manner consistent with Southern Baptist convictions especially related to the sanctity of life and marriage as well as the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit. GuideStone's plans take into account the unique needs of pastors and others involved in ministry and Christian service.

The healthcare reform law (often referred to as Obamacare) presents the greatest challenge ever confronted by denominational church health plans throughout the nation. GuideStone was active in its advocacy for church health plans and their participants prior to the enactment of Obamacare. However, since that time, GuideStone has devoted significant additional efforts seeking to prevent church health plans and their participants from being adversely affected. GuideStone is in the forefront of those calling for a full repeal of Obamacare specifically due to its adverse effect on church plans. In the event it is not repealed, GuideStone has presently joined with a coalition of other church plans to seek legislative and regulatory relief from various aspects of Obamacare that could threaten the ability of church health plans to serve their participants.

One area of focus for many months has been the need for a conscience clause so that the convictions so important to us as believers are not disregarded or overrun in the name of healthcare reform. GuideStone continues to be active in addressing issues involving sanctity of life, and also is adamant about other issues of vital interest to the evangelical community that could conceivably impact health plans in future years. For example, GuideStone could never concede to extend coverage to same sex spouses or cover questionable stem cell treatments. GuideStone continues to seek avenues of obtaining a conscience clause to protect and preserve these foundational convictions.

“There are many challenges to be confronted as a result of the enactment of healthcare reform. GuideStone is honored to join with our friends at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and all of our other Southern Baptist Convention entities to advocate on behalf of those organizations and individuals we are so privileged to serve. We will remain vigilant and diligent in these efforts with our long held Biblical convictions and our participants’ needs uppermost in our mind,” Hawkins concluded.