{
  "id": "RL34708",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "RL34708",
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  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
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      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 402188,
      "date": "2012-03-01",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-06T21:51:08.929579",
      "title": "Religious Exemptions for Mandatory Health Care Programs: A Legal Analysis",
      "summary": "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148), enacted in 2010, established requirements for employers and individuals to ensure the provision or availability of certain health care coverage. Additionally, the threat of bioterrorism has caused some to consider the possibility of introducing vaccination programs to prevent an outbreak of serious illnesses. Programs like health care coverage and vaccinations have the potential to violate certain religious beliefs and therefore may conflict with the First Amendment. In the continuing debate over issues for which mandatory health care programs might be solutions, questions have been raised about the legal issues relating to exemptions for health care programs.\nFor the purposes of this report, mandatory health care programs are those which require individuals to take some action relating to a health care policy objective. A variety of mandatory health care programs currently exists at the federal and state levels. Some programs are medical programs that require individuals to participate in a medical program, while some programs are financial programs that require individuals to pay for program costs. For example, all 50 states and the District of Columbia require children to be vaccinated for certain illnesses and diseases before entering school. At the federal level, the tax system requires individuals to pay taxes that fund Medicare to provide health care to elderly citizens. In some instances, mandatory health care programs include exemptions that allow qualified persons to opt out of the required action. Religious exemptions permit individuals who object to the program based on religious beliefs to avoid compromising those beliefs.\nThis report will discuss the legal issues that arise in the context of religious exemptions for mandatory health care programs. It will discuss constitutional and statutory provisions relating to religious protection and how such laws have been applied in the medical context. The report will also briefly address examples of health care programs that have included religious exemptions. It will analyze whether the U.S. Constitution requires religious exemptions for mandatory health care programs and whether, if not required, the Constitution allows religious exemptions for such programs.",
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      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 3362,
          "name": "First Amendment: Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc817369/",
      "id": "RL34708_2010Feb04",
      "date": "2010-02-04",
      "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26",
      "title": "Religious Exemptions for Mandatory Health Care Programs: A Legal Analysis",
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      ],
      "topics": []
    },
    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc819713/",
      "id": "RL34708_2008Oct16",
      "date": "2008-10-16",
      "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26",
      "title": "Religious Exemptions for Mandatory Healthcare Programs: A Legal Analysis",
      "summary": null,
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORT",
      "active": false,
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      "topics": []
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "American Law",
    "Constitutional Questions",
    "Health Policy"
  ]
}