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February 8, 2012 in Nation/World
White House seeking birth control compromise
Administration looks to allay religion-based concern
WASHINGTON – Hammered by Republicans and the Catholic Church, the White House hinted at compromise Tuesday as it struggled to calm an election-year uproar caused by its health-insurance rule requiring religious schools and hospitals to provide employees with access to free birth control.
Obama’s chief spokesman and his top campaign strategist both said the administration was searching for ways to allay the concern of Roman Catholics who say the birth control mandate would force them to violate their religious beliefs against contraception. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said the policy was a “huge mistake” that the administration should reconsider. “And if they don’t, Congress will act,” McConnell said.
On the campaign trail, GOP presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich heaped new criticism on the president, with Romney accusing Obama of an “assault on religion” and Gingrich calling the rule an “attack on the Catholic Church.”
The new rule, crafted as part of the Department of Health and Human Services implementation of the health care law, does not apply to churches and church-run organizations. Other religiously affiliated institutions, such as Catholic hospitals, charities and universities, have one year to phase in the new mandate.
Obama’s spokesman defended the decision that prompted the flare-up, even as he raised the prospect of some adjustment. He said women working for church-affiliated employers must be able to get contraception, but he also made clear that the White House wants to accommodate the concerns of the employers who would be required to provide birth control coverage regardless of their religious beliefs.
“There are ways to, I think, help resolve this issue that ensures that we provide that important preventive service, that health care coverage, to all women … in a way that also tries to allay some of these concerns,” press secretary Jay Carney said.
The spokesman did not say what those ways might be but said there were “a lot of different ideas out there.”
Tribune Washington bureau contributed to this report.
Stocks plummet as outlook in Europe dims 
Notapatriot on February 08 at 6:40 a.m.
I would put making the Catholic Church happy at the bottom of my list. Isn’t that the group that has been shuffling rapists amidst themselves for the last century? We somehow should give a crap what the pope thinks about anything? He’s the guy who managed to keep this quiet through his office for decades. How about we drop the hammer on that scoundrel and call him what he really is. An accessory. Nothing less. I hope I live long enough to see that office exposed for what it truly is.
monarch on February 08 at 8:24 a.m.
I’m sure these organizations employ many non-catholics, yet the Catholic Church hierarchy wants to impose its will on them. The majority of Catholics don’t follow or endorse this misreasoned policy of no artificial contraception. The hierarchy endorses “natural” family planning, but it has yet to realize as many esteemed doctors of the Church have pointed out, that natural and artificial are ethically the same. They both have at their core the the intent to have intercourse without conceiving. Like the Italian grandmother said, “if you don’t play the game, don’t make the rules.”
Thayne on February 08 at 4:29 p.m.
I witnessed 3rd world catholic ideals first hand. While stationed in the Philippines I saw many families (mostly very poor) with numerous kids. Even though they could barely feed 1 or 2 kids they would have 6+. When I mentioned this seemed illogical, I was told the Catholic church forbid birth control. When are all the religions that push having large families going to realize the earth is being pushed to its limits now. Words written by men hundreds of years ago have little or no bearing today. The “souls for Jesus” crowd may be the loudest but aren’t necessarily the most correct.
Benaround on February 08 at 4:33 p.m.
Democrats have pretty won the cultural wars and the events of
the past few days seem to reflect that. The ninth district court
in California says civil unions are not good enough for Gays
and the term Marriage must be used despite what voters wanted. Same in our State…Marriage must be allowed. The Catholic
Church running a non-profit Hospital for all citizens must offer
morning after pill and pay for visits to Planned Parenthood.
Same for non-profit Catholic Schools…the Federal Government
can control their Health Care Plans…only the Feds know what
the correct coverages are. Same for Homeless Shelters and
Battered Spouse Facilities. I guess the virtual shut-down of the
Boy Scouts wasn’t enough for Democrats…it appears they will be
successful in regulating and controlling Churches. Throwing
Condoms at Catholic school kids is apparently smart politics
to get your way.
detroitdude on February 08 at 5:09 p.m.
First, it should never be up for a popular vote or referendum from the get go, the gay marriage part I mean, it’s a civil rights issue.
“the Federal Government
can control their Health Care Plans”
Yeah, and my goodness if it had more control like other civilized countries it would benefit every single American.
“only the Feds know what
the correct coverages are.”
That is a tired talking point and simply not true. Many countries with universal health care spend less money on it and their citizens enjoy a longer life expectancy than in the US. And again, we aren’t talking about universal health care for US citizens, it’s an insurance mandate, which in a for profit health care system, means insurance companies will get more customers.
“Throwing
Condoms at Catholic school kids is apparently smart politics
to get your way.”
That’s hyperbole and once again not true. The smartest thing we can do is talk openly to teens and young adults about sex, contraception, all the risks, and emotional impact involved. Closing the door to sex education for young people is not a smart thing to do, unless you want to see your daughter doing body shots and grinding in a Girls Gone Wild video in 5 years.
As for the rest of your post, nobody is forcing any of these employees to utilize these birth control methods. If they feel it goes against their beliefs, they can simply not make use of the option. For the rest that live day to day in reality, and not some creepy church chamber, I doubt you will hear a huge uproar over this.
Benaround on February 08 at 5:39 p.m.
Detroitdude: You are absolutely 100% correct on every point and I apologize for wasting your time. We are starting to realize Federal Control in all aspects of life from health.. to education…
to matters of faith and parental matters is best left to the most
successful delivery system ever…the Federal Government. I
just wish President Obama’s family would join into the public
school system and public health system to enjoy its flawless-
greatness. You are a great advocate for His-Lordship and
I salute you.
detroitdude on February 08 at 5:53 p.m.
I agree with you partially, the President and every member of congress should have to live with no insurance, like millions of Americans, maybe then they would change their tune. What you consider Federal government control many would instead call it more freedom to choose in the case of contraception and so forth.
“to matters of faith and parental matters is best left to the most
successful delivery system ever…the Federal Government.”
Thing is this, having the birds and bees discussion with your kids (and/or several of them as they get older) is a job best left to parents. The problem is, as we find out, many parents do a very poor job educating their own kids on these matters, whether it be out of their own ignorance, or the fact that it can be awkward and a bit embarrassing, or if it is some religious thing. This is what leads to STI’s, teen pregnancy and things of that nature. And please, quit trying to paint me as a huge Obama supporter. I’m highly disappointed in many things he has not delivered on but campaigned on. He just happens to be a little less crappy than a GOP run government and any of the GOP candidates.
Benaround on February 08 at 6:16 p.m.
Detroitdude: I am surprised with Obama’s hatred for 1/2 our
country. We have never had a President so full of hate for so
many people. I can’t remember him campaigning on the us vs
them basis. You guys are winning so I guess its the coming
status-quo but you need to pretent the hate isn’t there.
misjustice on February 08 at 8:37 p.m.
The Catholics hate birth control but tolerate child raping priests! And they are trying to take the high road concerning the “harm” that birth control will do to their flock.
They lobby against birth control but secretly move around child rapists from parish to parish to parish, effectively allowing the rapist to harm more children which are members of their flock. Talk about a bunch of hypocrites!
Benaround on February 08 at 9:36 p.m.
Misjustice: Well it’s probably good then that our Government
can alter their behavior and lead them to more proper thinking.
I am not Catholic… so I guess our Government requirements
will apparently prevail.