Biden on Contraception Controversy: ‘We Can Work It Out’
EmailVice President Joe Biden said today he was confident the Obama administration could resolve concerns surrounding its decision to require most employers, including Catholic hospitals and charities, to offer health insurance that fully covers contraception.
“I am determined to see that this gets worked out, and I believe we can work it out,” Biden told WLW radio in Cincinnati today. “But the frustration … is real.”
The vice president said there had been “a lot of misunderstanding” about the administration’s decision, suggesting there had not been enough focus on the one-year time frame for employers to comply.
“When HHS put out its ruling on this issue, it said that it’s going to take a year to work out whatever difficulties the Catholic church has, to make sure we do not force the Catholic church into a position where they are having to do something that they fundamentally think is inconsistent with their religious beliefs. That is under way,” he explained.
“There’s going to be a significant attempt to work this out, and there’s time to do that. And as a practicing Catholic, you know, I am of the view that this can be worked out and should be worked out and I think the president, I know the president, feels the same way,” Biden said.
Best Commencement Speeches of 2012 
Joe Biden Recalls Death of Wife, Daughter
My own religious conviction is that God punishes us with disease and rewards us with good health, and that it is a sin to ever try to intervene in his will medically.
I’m therefore stripping practically everything out of my employees’ policies. If I can’t, I won’t be able to sleep nights, because I would have a guilty conscience imagining to what unnatural ends they might choose to apply their insurance, and of course I can’t be stopped from stripping out those policies, because my Republican friends are backing me on this, since it is a matter of my own religious freedom.
Plus, I save a lot on the health premiums I pay to cover my work force, since their pay package basically only includes chiropractic care and homeopathy, which don’t offend my religious scruples because I deem them entirely ineffective.
Posted by: frank burns | February 9, 2012, 7:05 pm 7:05 pm
Even tho Obama would like to be king of the United States, he is not. His edict that forcing businesses to provide free sterilizations, abortifacients and birth control will be ruled unconstitutional. This govt is out of control. Our Founding Fathers would be spinning in their graves if they knew how meddling Big Brother has become.
It’s time for those who love their country and their freedom to vote Comrade Obama and Company OUT in November.
Posted by: Logicsgood5 | February 9, 2012, 8:35 pm 8:35 pm
Is this what Pelosi meant by, “We Have to Pass the Bill So That You Can Find Out What Is In It”?
Posted by: newcountryman | February 9, 2012, 8:37 pm 8:37 pm
On the horns of a dilemma? Tiger by the tail? For a guy who’s suppose to be a constitutional expert he sure screws up alot.
Posted by: newcountryman | February 9, 2012, 8:43 pm 8:43 pm
Solution is to repeal Obamacare and elect a new President! For once Vice President Joe Biden sis correct when he said “I am determined to see that this gets worked out,”
Posted by: Common _ Sense | February 9, 2012, 9:09 pm 9:09 pm
For a guy who’s suppose to be a constitutional expert he sure screws up alot.
Posted by: newcountryman | February 9, 2012, 8:43 pm 8:43 pm
I don’t think he’s screwed up on this at all. Neither do most Americans polled. That’s just your opinion.
Posted by: Jane | February 9, 2012, 9:10 pm 9:10 pm
Whosvoice – Not the employee, the employer. Catholicism opposes birth control, sterilization, etc. This mandate FORCES Catholic institutions to go against a major tenet of their faith and provide it to their employees. Not optional – they are obligated. What business is it of the govt to tell an employer what benefits they must provide to their employees in their health insurance packages?? Especially when it goes against the religious beliefs of an employer. That is what the First Amendment specifically prohibits our govt from doing. Obama will lose on this.
Posted by: Logicsgood5 | February 9, 2012, 9:55 pm 9:55 pm
If Obama gives in and takes back the mandate, will the catholic chruch support Obamacare?
Posted by: Ian | February 9, 2012, 10:07 pm 10:07 pm
Posted by: Logicsgood5 | February 9, 2012, 9:55 pm 9:55 pm
If you follow your logic then soon bigamy will be legal and sharia law will be legal. Is that the way you want it? Religions not having to follow the law of the land?
Posted by: regrets | February 9, 2012, 10:12 pm 10:12 pm
Regrets – If you were right, I’d agree with you, but you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Posted by: Logicsgood5 | February 10, 2012, 12:20 am 12:20 am
Posted by: Logicsgood5 | February 10, 2012, 12:20 am 12:20 am
It’s pretty straight forward – bigamy was one of the beliefs of the Mormon religion and is still a belief for some fundamentalist Mormons. Does that mean the government has no right to charge any of them with bigamy despite bigamy being against the law? And, Sharia law is the moral code and religious law of Islam, central to the belief system – same as (apparently) no condoms, or birth control pills is central to Catholicism. If Catholics don’t have to follow federal law then do Mormons or Muslims not have to follow federal law as well because of their beliefs?
Posted by: regrets | February 10, 2012, 12:39 am 12:39 am
LOG SGOOD: You must be in the bubble, when a majority of Religious patrons are already taking birth control it is not about birth control. What it is really about is the intrusion of weak minded people that will believe any objective stance to a BLACK President that is working to improve the life of the majority of middle and low income families in America.
So if you are one of the 1%, then i completely understand, becasue you can afford the best private doctors and the best health care in America without losing your home and a means to eat.
Otherwise you are just a fool who will believe anything and I need your name, phone number and personal bank account so I to can make a fool of you.
Posted by: Edward | February 10, 2012, 12:43 am 12:43 am
Regrets – The Obama administration has directed the Catholic church to actively violate its prohibition against birth control. Not passively sit on the sidelines since it doesn’t agree – actively violate.
You’re a little late on the poligamy/Mormon thing. They abandoned that back in 1890…
Posted by: Logicsgood5 | February 10, 2012, 12:59 am 12:59 am
“LOG SGOOD: You must be in the bubble, when a majority of Religious patrons are already taking birth control it is not about birth control.” ——————– You’re right. It’s not about birth control. It’s not about “women’s rights”. It’s a political move by a power hungry politician to garner more votes for November. Not a wise move, and I believe will backfire badly. Many of Obama’s people advised him against but he went ahead anyway, and shall we say, acted stupidly.
Posted by: Logicsgood5 | February 10, 2012, 1:05 am 1:05 am
“What it is really about is the intrusion of weak minded people that will believe any objective stance to a BLACK President that is working to improve the life of the majority of middle and low income families in America.”
Sure Edward. “I’m from the govt and I’m here to help…” Because birth control is sooooo hard to get in our country. Ever hear of Planned Parenthood. They GIVE the stuff out like candy. YOU are being played for a fool Edward. Sheesh.
Posted by: Logicsgood5 | February 10, 2012, 1:08 am 1:08 am
LOGIC SGOODS/ Yep, just as I thought, you are amoung the elite, they do not give it out like candy, The do as I say, not as I do conservatives live in a bubble.
They may give it freely to the rich, but not to the poor, If no Medical coverage, they get nothing,
Just post your bank account and SS# and address now, I will see if I can break you out of that bubble.,
Posted by: EDWARD | February 10, 2012, 1:20 am 1:20 am
You’re a little late on the poligamy/Mormon thing. They abandoned that back in 1890…
Posted by: Logicsgood5 | February 10, 2012, 12:59 am 12:59 am
Wrong. Various fundamentalist groups in Canada, the western United States and Mexico still follow polygamy.
The governments of Canada and the United States have actively captured, tried and imprisoned members of those groups who were simply practicing their religious beliefs.
Their religious beliefs contradicted the law – and we saw the results.
You didn’t even mention Sharia law which is part of the core beliefs of Muslims – should they be allowed to ignore U.S. law because of their beliefs – like the Catholic complainers want to do?
Posted by: Regrets | February 10, 2012, 1:22 am 1:22 am
Controseptives are not need with Bishop and young boys,
Posted by: EDWARD | February 10, 2012, 1:30 am 1:30 am
That is right, I said it. You know what the real problem is in the Catholic Church is that families let their children get abused.
Posted by: EDWARD | February 10, 2012, 1:39 am 1:39 am
Of course it can be worked out. It has been worked out in many states.
I believe the right wing jumped on this issue because sensationalizing the so-called war between social conservatives and literal Christianists in America and everyone else who actually comprise the majority because it unifies and motivates them, provides them with passion. So far their primary has squeezed out very little passion. I read a whole right wing blog describing the Republican frontrunner as a cold, unappetizing bowl of mushy plain oatmeal and Santorum as a self-righteous, big government prig.
Posted by: Grace | February 10, 2012, 2:43 am 2:43 am
Catholic News Service, November 2010: “Pope, church leaders call for guaranteed health care for all people”
Santorum stumbles badly trying to explain why he breaks from the pope and church leaders on this position. (Kudos to the voter who posed the question.)
Posted by: Grace | February 10, 2012, 2:51 am 2:51 am
Obama will reluctantly cave, the liberal Catholic leadership will bring its congregation back to obama for the election, and if re-elected obama will then reinstate the mandate. The entire saga was predictable from day 1.
Posted by: clayusmcret | February 10, 2012, 7:37 am 7:37 am
President Obama will fold like a cheap card table! It is all about getting re-election!
Posted by: Common _ Semse | February 10, 2012, 9:07 am 9:07 am
Bidon the worst VP since Dan Qyale? you have cost this country it’s respect and like Obama have no clue how to lead. Bye Bye one termer
Posted by: Jim Rod | February 10, 2012, 9:31 am 9:31 am