I just want to say that, aside from the philosophical questions here, there is a real practical risk to not protecting the rights of institutions. There are cases internationally where a failure to protect the conscience rights of religion-based charitable institutions has led to those institutions closing. I am very worried that we will get into the same situation when it comes to Catholic hospitals and Catholic health care institutions. That is a big cost. Even if you don't agree with conscience rights for institutions philosophically, I would ask members to think about the cost for patients, in terms of access to other services, that would result if many of these health care facilities ceased to operate.
On May 10th, 2016. See this statement in context.