18th District Candidates on Obamacare and the Catholic Church

WMBD 31 News is your local election headquarters. As we count down to Election Day in November, we continue our look at where local candidates stand on the issues. In the 18th District Congressional Race Incumbent Republican Aaron Schock is being challenged by Democrat Steve Waterworth. Tonight we're asking both candidates about the President's healthcare plan...The Peoria Catholic Diocese has filed suit to stop some parts of Obamacare, specifically mandated payments for birth control. We're finding out if the candidates feel the government should work with the Catholic Church on this matter.

Waterworth:
"I think the government should, I believe they are. I am a strong believe in women having access to birth control and reproductive healthcare. I just think that it's not a new thing...businesses have to provide women with birth control so I think certainly the government's going to work with them. They already are and I'm sure they will in the future."

Schock
"I don't think it's appropriate for the federal government to pass any law that restricts someone's freedom to practice their own religion. And clearly the provision in Obama Care that requires the Catholic Church, and Catholic Church owned entities like hospitals, like healthcare facilities, to pay for the distribution and administration of things that are in violation of their church's beliefs. I believe that's in violation of our Constitution and I don't think it's right for the federal government to pass laws that restrict or violate someone's personal conscience."