In a victory for secular America, and American women, the Obama administration has ruled that religious institutions must follow a new federal mandate and offer employees free birth control through their health insurance coverage.
On Friday, the Obama administration reaffirmed their commitment to new regulations mandating all health plans offer free contraception. In so doing, the Obama administration rejected an argument being made by Catholics and other conservative religious groups that mandating free access to contraception infringed on their religious freedom.
Under the Affordable Care Act employers must provide co-pay free coverage for contraception in their health insurance plans. Churches and other houses of worship have always been exempt from the requirement. However, some conservative religious groups had been pressuring the Obama administration for a religious exemption for institutions like hospitals and universities, arguing that the rule infringed on their religious freedom.
The ruling reaffirms the Obama administration’s commitment to new regulations mandating all health plans offer free contraception. However, while the religious groups were not granted the asked for exemption, the Obama administration, via the Department of Health and Human Services, did offer religious institutions a one-year grace period before they must comply with the new mandate.
In a statement Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius made the following remarks:
This decision was made after very careful consideration, including the important concerns some have raised about religious liberty. I believe this proposal strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services.Scientists have abundant evidence that birth control has significant health benefits for women and their families, it is documented to significantly reduce health costs, and is the most commonly taken drug in America by young and middle-aged women. This rule will provide women with greater access to contraception by requiring coverage and by prohibiting cost sharing.
The ruling is good news for secular America, and American women. The ruling reaffirms the Obama administration’s commitment to women and fairness. In 2012, Religious conservatives are expected to frame progressive efforts in health-care reform, gay rights and other areas as an infringement upon religious liberty. The fact that the Obama administration is willing to resist such religious extremism, despite political pressure, is a good sign for Secular America.
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