Obama's Contraception Compromise Fails to Pacify Catholic Bishops

Catholic bishops said they would not support President Barack Obama's compromise on the mandate requiring most employers to cover contraception in their employees' health plans, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

This past Friday, President Obama offered a compromise that would allow religious employers who oppose birth control to cede coverage responsibility to insurance companies. Under this proposal, religious employers could exclude contraception coverage from their insurance policies, and insurance companies would be required to provide this coverage for free. 

The bishops said they still have "serious moral concerns" about the rule, citing the lack of a provision for self-insured religious employers, according to the report. The bishops also said contraception coverage by insurers for employees of religious employers would be financed the same way as other coverage from the employer.

However, some Catholic organizations, such as the Catholic Health Association and Catholic Charities USA, have praised the compromise.

Related Articles on Healthcare and Religion:

HHS Extends Deadline for Contraceptive Coverage Requirement
Catholic Hospital Network in Texas Reverses Policy, Provides Plan B Contraceptives

IOM: Contraceptives, Other Women's Health Services Should Be Covered Under ACA

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