WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE- With only three weeks left to the presidential election Healthcare and religion are still hot button issues.

Today protesters converged on the state capitol and spoke out against Obama's Affordable Care Act. They join thousands across the country is what's being called the Stand Up For Religious Freed Rally.

The Act in part requires employees to provide insurance that includes coverage for contraceptives.

Rally Chairman Bob Breaux says, "We're not forcing we're not pushing anything on anybody. I think the federal government illegally and unjustly coming to the Catholic Church and saying these are things we need to do."

Several Christian organizations have filed lawsuits since the Act was introduced earlier this year. Claiming the mandate goes against their religious beliefs.

But supporters of act there is no violation of religion

State Representative Patricia Haynes Smith says " Right now it's an economic issue for those who choose to use contraception. If you don't choose to use it you don't have to pay for it."

Smith adds, "When you take out certain segments like abortion or contraception you don't look at the whole picture. Which is the fact that we need health care for our elderly, or disabled, our working poor and individuals who just don't have insurance."

The rally was held in about one hundred forty cities nationwide.