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Bishops: New birth control rule ‘a first step’

Catholic leaders want to see details; Boehner, Jordan critical.

Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the administration’s “decision to revise how individuals obtain services that are morally objectionable to religious entities and people of faith is a first step in the right direction.

Dan Balilty/STR Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the administration’s “decision to revise how individuals obtain services that are morally objectionable to religious entities and people of faith is a first step in the right direction."

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By Jack Torry, Washington Bureau Updated 1:57 AM Saturday, February 11, 2012

WASHINGTON — The Catholic bishops Friday called the Obama administration’s new contraceptive rule “a first step in the right direction,’’ but did not say whether it would end a contentious dispute between the White House and church leaders.

In an effort to end the broadening controversy, President Barack Obama announced that religious-affiliated hospitals and organizations will not have to offer insurance or pay for contraceptive coverage for their employees.

Instead, Obama said insurance companies that cover the workers at hospitals or charities will have to pick up the costs for contraceptive coverage for women and not pass the cost on to the church organizations.

By doing so, Obama modified a rule issued last month by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that would have required religious-affiliated organizations to offer health insurance policies that paid for contraception.

“The insurance company — not the hospital, not the charity — will be required to reach out and offer the woman contraceptive care free of charge, without co-pays and without hassles,’’ Obama said.

“The result will be that religious organizations won’t have to pay for these services and no religious institution will have to provide these services directly,’’ Obama said. “But women who work at these institutions will have access to free contraceptive services.’’

Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the administration’s “decision to revise how individuals obtain services that are morally objectionable to religious entities and people of faith is a first step in the right direction.’’

But Dolan also said, “We reserve judgment on the details until we have them.’’

With his move, Obama attempted to defuse an explosive political issue in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and other states with a large number of Catholic voters. At the same time, Obama hoped to avoid a backlash from progressive organizations who enthusiastically supported the original rule.

Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said the revised rule “does not compromise a woman’s ability to access these critical birth control benefits.’’ But she warned that “we will be vigilant in holding the administration and the institutions accountable’’ as they implement the rule.

House Republicans showed little sign that they were satisfied with Obama’s new rule. Michael Steel, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, R-West Chester Twp., said the “Catholic Church and others in our nation’s religious community are not yet convinced the president’s mandate doesn’t constitute an attack on religious freedom.’’

“It’s clear that these organizations were not included in developing the so-called compromise offered today,’’ Steel said. “The president should take up the bishops’ offer to find a resolution that respects all Americans’ constitutional rights.’’

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, a leading House conservative, called the new plan “a fig leaf, not a compromise. Whether they are affiliated with a church or not, employers will still be forced to pay an insurance company for coverage that includes abortion-inducing drugs.’’

In his remarks, Obama complained about the “more cynical desire on the part of some to make this into a political football.’’

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