Obama Supporters Worried He May Grant Contraception Exemptions to Catholic Hospitals*
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Pete Souza/The White House/AP Photo
In August, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that health insurance plans, as of January 1, 2013, will be required to cover contraception, including FDA-approved emergency contraception.
“These historic guidelines are based on science and existing literature and will help ensure women get the preventive health benefits they need,” she said.
The Catholic Church has been pushing the White House to allow Catholic hospitals to opt out of offering birth control coverage through their health insurance, contraception that the Church considers the termination of a life.
Many in the abortion rights community are worried that the president will grant that exemption. Additionally, many Democrats invested in President Obama’s re-election are worried that if he grants that exemption, he will alienate women voters who care about this issue, ones will need come November.
Asked today about the concern and the president’s decision-making, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said that part of the process was “seeking and receiving public input before the guidelines that were announced by the secretary of Health and Human Services would go into effect. That process did result in public input, and as well as resulted in numerous comments from various folks who have concerns…about this issue.”
Carney underlined that “this decision has not yet been made. …We want to strike the right balance between expanding coverage of preventive services and respecting religious beliefs. And that’s the balance that will be sought as this decision is made.”
But Democrats and those in the abortion rights community are worried about the decision the president might make and the possible impact on his re-election.
“There’s a high level of concern,” a prominent Democrat with ties to the White House told ABC News, “although the White House has been aggressive in reaching out to the women’s community to make it clear that no decision has been reached.”
The policy concern surrounds “what many would see as a significant expansion of the definition for the exemption,” the Democrat said. “The political concern is that it will make it more difficult to run against the Republican nominee whoever he or she may be on this issue of protecting women’s health. The real concern is that there’s even a discussion about this!”
Earlier this month, President Obama met with Archbishop Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which has been lobbying hard for an exemption, having called the requirement “an unprecedented attack on religious liberty.”
There were many topics discussed in that meeting, a source says, but this issue was among them.
Abortion rights groups point out that there is an exemption in the rule for religious organizations.
But a bulletin the Bishops sent out criticizes the religious exemption in the rule as “so extremely narrow…it protects almost no one. It covers only a ‘religious employer’ that has the ‘inculcation of religious values’ as its purpose, primarily employs and serves persons who share its religious tenets, and is a church organization under two narrow provisions of the tax code.” Catholic colleges, universities, hospitals, and charitable organizations will not qualify, the Bishops say.
Sister Carol Keehan, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, told ABC News that her organization’s biggest concern is with the narrowing of the definition of “religious employer.”
Keehan maintained that allowing the hospitals and universities an exemption would impact only a small percentage of women, given how many states and localities require health insurance to cover contraception. As for the women it would impact, “these are women who have freely applied to work at Catholic hospitals and universities,” she said. “There are certain things you know go with the package.”
An official with a women’s rights group says that ”birth control use is near universal, even among Catholic women. 99% of women, and 98% of Catholic women, who are sexually active use contraception at some point in their life…We are concerned that expanding the religious exemption would take away this benefit from millions of workers.”
-Jake Tapper
*This post has been updated.
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No, no, no! Just as Pharmacists should not be able to refuse to fill a prescription he doesn’t like, no hospital should be able to exempt themselves from treating a patient as he or she requests. Do not cave into such religious restrictions!
Posted by: Margaret Greischar | November 29, 2011, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm
Margret, If the government required preschools execute every tenth child would that be right also? To the catholics the issue is the same.
Posted by: James Varney | November 29, 2011, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm
As a Liberal female voter, BO will not lose my vote on this issue…a Catholic woman that wants to use birth control will probably NOT go to a catholic hospital in the first place. The Catholic church will stay in the dark ages on many issues….birth control is one of MANY!!!!!! This is why it is SO very critical that Planned Parenthood is protected as well as other outlets that provide birth control without prejudice!!!!! As a liberal voter, I know that my interests are best held in Obama’s hands…the alternatives are too scary to think about!
Posted by: tunetown152 | November 29, 2011, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm
@Margarte Greischar:
There is such a thing in the U.S. Constitution as the Free Expression of Religion clause: “Congress shall make no law…prohibiting the free exercise thereof;…” What you are advocating is for the administration to violate the law.
Posted by: SteveAR | November 29, 2011, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm
It’s all about votes with this sad excuse of a President!! Take a stand – make a decision; lead from the damn front!
Posted by: Gunner_1959 | November 29, 2011, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
Earlier this month, President Obama met with Archbishop Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which has been lobbying hard for an exemption, having called the requirement “an unprecedented attack on religious liberty.”
I think the president’s time would better be spent asking the Archbishop about the horrific amount of child sex abuse that takes place by male leadership in the Catholic Church and what they plan to do to end this abuse and punish the abusers. THIS is more of a problem then birth control.
I think it is perverted for men to care so much about women’s reproductive health care.
Posted by: Vanessa Parker | November 29, 2011, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
Yes, coverage for birth control and emergency contraception should be required. If the Catholic Church feels so strongly than they should “win” their argument against usage by intellectual means not economic exemption. If the Church really had credibility, they would expel all those that do not follow their tenants as defined. Of course, that would result in 90% of Catholic Churches going bankrupt and closing. If you are a true conservative you would want all to have equal access and then let the power of your arguments win over converts instead of depriving them of rights by economic blackmail.
Posted by: afmcalax | November 29, 2011, 1:34 pm 1:34 pm
Why do non-Catholic liberals care?
Posted by: newcountryman | November 29, 2011, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm
How ignorant! Are we living in the Dark Ages? If more women would use birth control, there would be few abortions. What is wrong with people? The Church should be ashamed. Do they want to take in the unwanted babies that are born?
Posted by: Barb | November 29, 2011, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm
Barb,
You’ve got it all wrong. When the birth control goes wrong, the babies get born. The Catholic practices are abstention until you can properly afford to marry, and raise your child. Artificial birth control methods convince people to Breed their Seed, and then when they do not work, foist the costs of your premature childbearing on the public. The successful Catholics, who practice what they preach, wish to be left alone to practice their religion. They don’t want their own money spent on your birth control, anymore than they want their tax money spent subsidizing your children when your own “choices” fail, with no financial backup plan on how those children will be afforded, disciplined or raised. In short, if you want “choice” on health issues, you have to respect and tolerate the viewpoints of others. And pay for your “choices” yourselves.
Posted by: Mary | November 29, 2011, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm
Mary: Sorry but most people I know who use birth control do not get pregnant. And it’s pretty naive to think that people will not have sex and that they will not marry until they can afford a child. Let me ask YOU a question. We do not like paying for children who are born when people have sex without birth control….so many people get pregant who didn’t want to and then who pays for them? Unreal.
Posted by: Barb | November 29, 2011, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
No, no, no! Just as Pharmacists should not be able to refuse to fill a prescription he doesn’t like, no hospital should be able to exempt themselves from treating a patient as he or she requests. Do not cave into such religious restrictions!
Posted by: Margaret Greischar
_________________
I hate to break the news to you, but pharmacists DO refuse prescriptions they don’t like. If they disagree with the doctor on an issue or if they think the drug could be addictive they will not prescribe the drug.
Besides, I doubt very much if a non-Catholic who takes birth control would go to a Catholic hospital in the first place so what’s the big deal?
Posted by: ivan | November 29, 2011, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
IVAN: Big difference in a drug that could be addictive or there’s a health issue and a birth control prescription. See this is why there are so many problems in this world, Religion! Let people believe what they want, if they do not believe in birth control, fine, don’t use it, but don’t deprive people who believe in birth control deprived of it. Hey perhaps I don’t believe in meds for people who are skitzo…let them off their meds and try to manage on their own. Want to guess the results? Same way with Ritlin for children. My neighbor didn’t want her son on meds and he went crazy out of his mine, uncontrollable. P.S. He took the drugs. Common sense should be the issue!
Posted by: Barb | November 29, 2011, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm
How ignorant! Are we living in the Dark Ages? If more women would use birth control, there would be few abortions. What is wrong with people? The Church should be ashamed. Do they want to take in the unwanted babies that are born?
Posted by: Barb
___________________
We have a thing called “freedom of religion” in this country.
During the Viet Nam War many churches, such as the Church of the Brethren did not believe in sending troops to war on religious grounds. The government “exempted” them from the draft. Do I personally agree with this idea? No. But Freedom of Religion prevails. The same has to be given to the Catholics whether we like them or not.
Besides, Barb, why would you personally go to a Catholic Hospital for birth control? That doesn’t make sense anyway.
Posted by: spike | November 29, 2011, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
The Catholic practices are abstention until you can properly afford to marry, and raise your child.
Artificial birth control methods convince people to Breed their Seed, and then when they do not work, foist the costs of your premature childbearing on the public.
POSTED BY: MARY | NOVEMBER 29, 2011, 2:30 PM 2:30 PM
And what happens when the Catholic method fails? And it surely does fail. As you so eloquently put it “when they do not work, foist the costs of your premaure childbearing on the public.”
Posted by: Charlene | November 29, 2011, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
Spike I am all for relilgious freedom but I agree 100% with the poster who said the Catholic Church would be better off looking into all the child abuse by priests. BTW I am Catholic but do not agree with everything they say and do. I pray to God all the time and go to church when I can. I believe that God loves everyone and when you get to Heaven He is not going to ask you “are you a Catholic, a Protestant, a Jew, etc.” He will know if you are good in heart and love others and try to do onto others as you would have done onto yourself. I see more arguments and wars over Religion. There is one God, do you think he’s Catholic? Protestant? Jewish? See what I mean? It’s all so ridiculous. Do you think God would want us fighting over religion? I don’t think so!
Posted by: Barb | November 29, 2011, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
Barb said Mary: Sorry but most people I know who use birth control do not get pregnant.++++Well I know of at least half dozen or so kids born while the mother was on the pill. Antibiotics and the pill WILL result in an unwanted pregnancy.
Posted by: ginny | November 29, 2011, 3:40 pm 3:40 pm
In response to Barb: “They don’t want their own money spent on your birth control, anymore than they want their tax money spent subsidizing your children when your own “choices” fail, with no financial backup plan on how those children will be afforded, disciplined or raised. In short, if you want “choice” on health issues, you have to respect and tolerate the viewpoints of others. And pay for your “choices” yourselves.” Funny thing that. I don’t want MY taxes paying for religious groups, religious prayers, GOD on money, wars, wars, wars, and tax cuts for the rich. If we are going to get down to itemizing exactly what people will pay for with their taxes, then it is not taxes, it’s government ala carte. As long as we are sending our children in to die for unnecessary wars, no Christian can support taxation whatsoever. Unless you are one of those Christians who only wear a cross around your neck and use the bible to pummel people with instead of reading it. I WISH there was an abortion clinic on every street corner! WE HAVE 7 BILLION PEOPLE ON THIS PLANET AND NOT ENOUGH RESOURCES. We need contraception, abortion and if you are truly a pro-lifer, then you will do everything in your power to make sure every child is fed, clothed, has a home, educated, and has a secure retirement.
Posted by: Jose Alvarez | November 29, 2011, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
If you want your God given right to birth control, go to Obama Hospital. If you want to have 10 children, let Obama Health care services pay for them. And while your at it, Obama welfare is open to provide cash for paying for those 10 kids. Americans have choices, but with Obama, no choice! Liberals always think it should be their way, but this is America, land of the free and home of the brave. Exemptions have already been made for the mandatory health care law, so why not with this?
Posted by: Tom B | November 29, 2011, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm
AND GUNNER: I think it irks you that I see both sides and try to be honest. Since I don’t agree with you you think you can just criticize and be nasty about anything I post. Grownups and rational people talk things out calmly like civilized people, they don’t name call and post things like a five year old.
Posted by: Barb | November 29, 2011, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
The word “contraception” is now, in Orwellian fashion, being distorted. The pro-aborts have redefined “pregnancy” to begin with implantation. So they call any abortion prior to implantation a case of “contraception.”
Why can’t they be honest about what they are advocating?
When you see the word “contraception” used, you have to find out what the user means by it.
Posted by: Jorge Lavanderia | November 29, 2011, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm
How ignorant! Are we living in the Dark Ages? If more women would use birth control, there would be few abortions. What is wrong with people? The Church should be ashamed. Do they want to take in the unwanted babies that are born?
Posted by: Barb
____________________________________________________________________________
Why are you singling out women for not using birth control? Don’t put it all on women. What about the men? It’s their responsibility, as well. But during the heat of the moment birth control is not uppermost on their mind. Would the Catholic hospitals deny an abortion to a devout Catholic who was the victim of rape?
Probably. They need to get out of the middle ages but first need to take care of the business at hand of the sexual predators within their own church.
Posted by: velvers | November 29, 2011, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm
The Catholic church’s views regarding birth control are responsible for millions upon millions more humans overpopulating the planet – especially the poor and the fully brain washed.
Posted by: Steve | November 29, 2011, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm
This is just one example of leftists needing to dominate others and direct their actions.
It is amazing how the left continually accuses the right of being intrusive into personal decisions and yet turns right around and attempts to dictate to others how they will act.
Posted by: Ronchris | November 29, 2011, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm
Would Obama force an Islamic organization to do something outside their beliefs?
No … he wouldn’t dare, and “liberals” shudder at the thought.
Posted by: darwin | November 29, 2011, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm
Wouldn’t it be the case that if you’re going to recieve funding from the federal government (like Catholic hospitals), then you must follow the laws of land as established through law, the Supreme Court, etc.
In fact, wouldn’t a hospital have to follow the law of the country regardless?
Posted by: Cherise | November 29, 2011, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm
The Catholic church’s views regarding birth control are responsible for millions upon millions more humans overpopulating the planet – especially the poor and the fully brain washed.
WOW! A true sign of uneducated ignorance right there. You’re going to blame a religion for the countless teen pregnancies, rapes, contraceptive failures, and just plain wanting to have a baby?? I didn’t realize that ONE religion would cause such a over population on this planet! I would say NOT having a solid religious background would cause this.
Posted by: Jaden | November 29, 2011, 7:45 pm 7:45 pm
The Catholic church’s views regarding birth control are responsible for millions upon millions more humans overpopulating the planet – especially the poor and the fully brain washed.
You’re going to blame a religion for the countless teen pregnancies, rapes, contraceptive failures, and just plain wanting to have a baby??
POSTED BY: JADEN | NOVEMBER 29, 2011, 7:45 PM 7:45 PM
No, I blame the Catholic Church for forbidding any other form of birth control (given you’re going to have sex) but the rhythm method – which has a failure rate of close to 25%. It has caused millions upon millions of pregnancies in Catholics who were trying not to have any more babies, but also trying to follow the dictates of their church.
Posted by: Steve | November 29, 2011, 8:50 pm 8:50 pm
If Obama can force catholics to do this, then he can cement the feminist vote while alienating a block he probably lost a year ago. He must solidify his base, and to do this he should bend the opposition to his will.
Posted by: Harry | November 29, 2011, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm
Our nation was founded in large part by those seeking to practice and live according to their religion in peace. How have we come to the point that religious institutions are being pushed around by the government to provide services that conflict with their principles!
For all the talk of “tolerance” these days, many display incredible intolerance toward those who profess a religious faith.
Posted by: R James | November 30, 2011, 6:40 am 6:40 am
I see a lot of ignorance in these comments about Catholicism.
This is simply a First Amendment issue. The government does not get to decide what the proper mission of a “religious organization” may be. It cannot put itself in the position of saying, “You count as a religious organization when you’re preaching to your own believers, but you don’t count as a religious organization when you’re feeding the poor of all faiths and caring for the sick of all faiths.” A narrow definition indeed: an organization only counts as “religious” if it serves itself instead of others?
Posted by: Erin | November 30, 2011, 7:42 am 7:42 am
LOL!!! Who’s the 5th grader Barb! I love how you have my posts deleted and then come back with a personal attack. It goes to show your level of maturity and honesty. Then again, most people who read your babble on these boards already have a firm appreciation for that. Nuff said!
Posted by: Gunner_1959 | November 30, 2011, 8:11 am 8:11 am
What??? “The Catholic Church has been pushing the White House to allow Catholic hospitals to opt out of offering birth control coverage.” The Church is asking the President for his approval??? Ridiculous!!! These so called “men of God” should march into El Presidente’s office notifying him that they will obey God’s command–not his–and refuse to slaughter unborn babies. Case closed! Lobby the president? Let’s be real.
Posted by: Tom Tucker | November 30, 2011, 10:12 am 10:12 am
First of all: if women want contraceptives, they can very well pay for them with their own money. Why should tax payers bear the burden?
Second of all: NO ONE should be forced to go against their conscience, which means that NO ONE should be forced to choose between their source of income and supplying women with something that has been created for the sole purpose of destroying unborn human life. NO ONE!
Posted by: Linda | November 30, 2011, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
It should not be at the whim of ANY president to grant, or not grant, exemption based on religious conscience. That is our right under the Constitution, both as individuals and as religious institutions, and is not subject to presential decree.
Posted by: Katie McDonald | November 30, 2011, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm
In a not unrelated story the Obama administration as announced a joint initiative with representatives form both the Muslim Brotherhood and Kahane Chai to have a pig pickin at the Whitehouse this Christmas. The Whitehouse as lined up several remarkable acts for this event not only to entertain but to also demonstrate the cultural diversity of the United States the Chippendales, Screaming Queens out of Chicago, and special dance recital featuring Chaz and the first Lady. To bring this gala once and a lifetime event together the co host for this wonderful day in history will be the Sec of Health and Human Services the Honorable Kathleen Sebelius and Carson Kressley.
To insure security and to make absolutely sure that all are treated equally and in keeping with the cultural diversity theme of the event the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will handle all screening. Only Transgendered persons and convicted pedophiles with the TSA will be conducting all Pat-downs so if you are one of the fortunate few to receive an invitation be sure to R.S.V.P. ASAP as Mrs. Tareq Salahi will be handling the invitations for this occasion.
P.S. Please remember to show up at least Five hours early so that the TSA as adequate time to assure that enjoy your screening.
Telling the Catholic Church and people of faith what and how to believe through mandates or threats makes as about as much sense as the story above. The Catholic Church and Christianity have survived much worst than President Obama and the progressive moment and will be here long after their gone.
Posted by: ordman | December 1, 2011, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm
The President met with a representative of the Catholic Church.
Oh for the good old days when the government did not negotiate with terrorist organisations.
Oh wait–how about the good old days when the government didn’t itself meet most definitions for a terrorist organisation… Speaking of which, did the President already suspend our constitutional right to a fair trial, or is that not until next week?
Posted by: Ben | December 4, 2011, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm