Say It Ain't So Already

Dooo Iiiiiiiitt

February 14, 2012 at 4:43 PM Leave a comment

Republicans Declaring War on Birth Control?

Starting in August, women in the U.S. will get free birth control from their health insurance.

The exceptions are women who work for a religious organization–such as the Catholic Church–allowed to opt out of mandatory coverage.

Many people are aware President Obama last Friday had to backtrack some–and broaden the new coverage regulation in order to allow other kinds of religious employers–such as a hospital or non-profit–to not provide the coverage. In the compromise, those women workers still get the free coverage–directly through their health insurance carriers.

That compromise was good enough for many Catholic organizations–not the Catholic bishops–and now, not good enough for a handful of Senators who want to ban the coverage for any kind of religious employer and–taking it MUCH FURTHER–allow any employer not to cover contraception if it violates the employer’s moral or religious beliefs.

How about letting a woman decide if she wants to use birth control?

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. — much mentioned as a possible GOP vice presidential candidate and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., have an amendment that would allow any employer to deny birth control coverage if it runs counter to their religious or moral beliefs.

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., has an amendment–tacked on to the Transportation Bill, for heaven’s sake– to let health insurers have the right to ban coverage on conscience grounds.

Yeah guys, doooo iiiiiit.

I mean seriously.  It’s 2012.  Do Republicans really think this is a winning issue?  Really?

Entry filed under: 2012 Election, Republicans, Including Wingers & "Moderates". Tags: catholic organizations, joe manchin.