Health Care Mandate Protesters Come to Patchogue

Approximatley 100 people rallied in front of Congressman Tim Bishop's Patchogue office as part of a protest against healthcare mandates that religious organizations are facing.

The mandate requires employers to have health coverage that can include contraception. While an exemption added to the bill allows health insurance companies to pay for contraception coverage instead of religious institutions, protesters state that it still forces all employers to provide health plans that include contraceptives.

"That's a violation of a religious freedom of institution," said Fr. Robert Ketcham, of the Holy Name of Mary parish in Valley Stream. "It's a protection of conscious that we are concerned about."

Ketcham said that he heard about the rally on a website, which helped organize 140 rallies nationwide on Friday at noon. Outside of Bishop's office was one of the planned locations.

"It's our first time coming out on this particular issue...," said Fr. Ray Tvrdik, of Our Lady of Island Shrine in Manorville. "...showing our disagreement to the healthcare mandate."

Among the protesters were people of a variety of religious faiths and some Tea Party supporters.

Bishop was working at his Southampton office at the time said his communications director Oliver Longwell, who said that protesters also did arrive at that office.

"We welcome constituents, we respecfuly disagree. Congressman Bishop believes that contraception is essential heathcare for women," Longwell said.

Longwell also pointed out that the requirement has actually been in place since 2004 in New York state, as part of a mandate signed by former governor George Pataki.