Politicians shift focus off contraception challenges to focus on upcoming election.
Posted by on August 6, 2012 - 1:44pm

In a recent weekly press briefing, House Speaker John Boehner signaled that Republicans would not pursue legislation challenging the federal contraceptive coverage rules, Talking Points Memo reports. The requirement took effect on Aug. 1. The rules implement a provision in the Affordable Care Act  that requires health plans to cover preventive services without copayments or deductibles. In February, the Obama administration announced that it would alter the rules so that religiously affiliated employers will not have to offer contraceptive coverage for their employees, but their health insurance companies will be required to provide no-cost coverage directly to women.

House GOP members have said the requirement is an attack on religious freedom. Boehner himself has said that if the Obama administration does not rescind the requirement, "then the Congress, acting on behalf of the American people and the Constitution we are sworn to uphold and defend, must."

However, Boehner took a different tone on the issue last Thursday. He said, "We're continuing to work with those groups around the country who believe that their religious liberties are being infringed to try to come to a resolution of this issue." He added, "Sometimes resolving this issue can be done other than legislative avenues. So we're continuing to work with them on the best way forward".

Contraception coverage in jeopardy due to religious exemption
Posted by on November 22, 2011 - 11:58am

November 17, 2011

Last August, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule containing the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation that health plans cover the full range of FDA-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling for all women, without cost-sharing.  The proposed rule contained an exemption from the contraception requirement for non-profit religious organizations providing group coverage and which mainly employ individuals sharing the religious views of the organization.

We are now facing the possibility that, within the next few days, the Obama administration will expand the current religious exemption from the contraceptive coverage requirement to allow religiously affiliated hospitals, charities, and universities to exclude contraceptive coverage from their employee health plans.

Religious groups are exerting intense pressure on the administration, claiming that the contraception coverage requirement infringes on their “religious liberty” and seeking to have their beliefs and tenets bind all Americans’ health insurance coverage. These groups do not support access to contraception and will not do so no matter the exemption made.

If you want to weigh in on this debate, contact the White House today at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact  or 202-456-1111 and urge the President to protect women’s health and NOT to expand the religious exemption. The exemption makes no medical sense. Every woman deserves affordable health care, including contraception, no matter where she works.