Axelrod defends Obama administration birth control rule
By The Associated Press
This article was published February 7, 2012 at 10:13 a.m.
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WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s top political adviser is defending the administration’s decision requiring church-affiliated employers to cover birth control for their workers.
David Axelrod said the move has caused a rift between the White House and the Roman Catholic Church.
Catholic leaders have condemned the regulation put out by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Axelrod told MSNBC Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius acted on the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation, and that she exempted the churches themselves. He said administration officials “certainly don’t want to abridge anyone’s religious freedom.”
Comments on: Axelrod defends Obama administration birth control rule
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JCook says... February 7, 2012 at 12:23 p.m.
Providing birth control as part of Health Care is not a mandate. The individual has the right to use or not use that benefit based on their own personal preference. Daaaaaah!
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NONSHEEPLE says... February 7, 2012 at 1:11 p.m.
Well stated JCook...
The LAST thing Catholics want is ANYTHING that would slow down the creation of MORE catholics... well... second to last... the REAL last thing would be for their own priest to stop giving in to their pent up desires...
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jackalope says... February 7, 2012 at 1:43 p.m.
Somewhere around 98% of all self-identified Catholics use or have used birth control. The only ones pissed about this are the priests.
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dman says... February 7, 2012 at 3:23 p.m.
Churches, religious-affiliated hospitals, and other religious-affiliated business will be required to provide free birth control, morning after pill (abortion) and sterilization services through their employee health plans. Or pay a penalty if they do not provide for it. That is wrong.
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jackalope says... February 7, 2012 at 4:09 p.m.
dman, the morning after pill is not an "abortion pill". It is emergency contraceptive. Essentially a super version of the regular daily pill that women take for contraceptive purposes. And you're creating a strawman with that sterilization services bit. The bill requires plans that cover prescription medication to also cover hormonal birth control. (since it's... you know... a prescription medication)
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dman says... February 7, 2012 at 5:58 p.m.
And so those plans that provide prescription medication coverage must provide all those prescriptions for free?? P. S. One way the morning after pill works is to prevent the implantation of an already-fertilized egg. It is, therefore, an abortificant.
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23cal says... February 7, 2012 at 6:09 p.m.
dman, you said "Churches, religious-affiliated hospitals, and other religious-affiliated business will be required to provide free birth control, morning after pill (abortion) and sterilization services through their employee health plans. Or pay a penalty if they do not provide for it. That is wrong." However, in the article above, it clearly states that churches are exempt. That seems fair to me. I can't agree with you that everything else the church chooses to stick its fingers into must also be exempt.
Additionally, why is it wrong for church affiliated businesses to provide INSURANCE for legal medications and procedures. If you do not wish to use birth control or other covered legal medicines or procedures, then don't use them. However, you don't get to use your religious preferences to stop other people from receiving legal medical matters.
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NickieD says... February 7, 2012 at 8:20 p.m.
Suppose a person worked for a Christian "Science" church that believed in no doctors? Should their employees be exempt from insurance coverage?
Well said "joshcookrn"... that is a realistic look at the inside of religion in general and Catholisim specifically.
dman... you are incorrect, that is the right thing... everyone should be covered by equal insurance regardless of how wacky the particular religion is. The option should always be available... even if unused.
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RonalFos says... February 7, 2012 at 11:09 p.m.
If the Catholic church doesn't like the rules of being an employer in the US they should get out of businesses other than running their churches.
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Osage says... February 8, 2012 at 8:01 a.m.
congratulations NickiDA--, your post here was the least stupid thing you have ever said. Perhaps your incredible ignorance is waning.
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