Cute Animals Predict The Future Of Religion-Driven Healthcare

This week, the Supreme Court ruled that businesses could refuse coverage for contraception based on the employer's religious beliefs. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote the dissent, which offered a view on what other coverage could be restricted based on other religions. Here is a glimpse into that horrible future, made more palatable by cute animals.

Pop a Pill? Not So Fast.

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Many pharmaceuticals contain animal bits and by-products, including common medications for heartburn, high cholesterol, diabetes and hormone replacement. Even if the medication itself is not made with animal products, the little gelatin capsule probably is. What if Hindu, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist employers don't want to pay for animal-laced drugs?

Feel Sad? Too Bad

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Scientologists believe that psychiatric treatment and associated drugs are so bad that they have both a worldwide anti-drug campaign and a very official-sounding "commission" created and funded to knock out "the hidden enemy." Looking for vacation ideas? There's a fun-sounding "Industry of Death" museum you can visit! Looking for antidepressants? You're out of luck. Scientologists are avid in their belief that no one should use drugs, especially illicit and psychotropic drugs, and may welcome the opportunity to stop coverage.

Need a Blood Transfusion?

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Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions. They "abstain from blood" to show respect for God as the giver of life. They may also decide that their employees should abstain as well.

What About Faith Healing?

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Good question! There are religions that believe that NO medicine is the best medicine. There are news stories and court cases about parents choosing faith over medicine, and this brings into question what some Christian Scientist or Pentacostal employers would do with insurance coverage for modern medicine.

Will any of this happen? Not according to the majority opinion. Although some are predicting that Ginsburg's strong dissent may have actually given other religious leaders food for thought.