CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
Feb. 8, 2012 – 11:15 p.m.
GOP Plans Fight Against Contraception Rule
By Emily Ethridge, CQ Staff
Republican lawmakers are making plans to try to reverse the administration’s recent ruling on contraceptive coverage under employer health insurance benefits, a move that could help deepen the rift between President Obama and some religious groups during an election year.
Opposition to the rule has been steadily rising among conservative lawmakers and some religious groups that do not condone birth control, and Speaker
Democrats, meanwhile, rushed to defend the administration, accusing the GOP of attacking women’s access to health care services.
The Health and Human Services Department (HHS) announced the final rule last month as part of the health care overhaul (PL 111-148, PL 111-152). Most employers, including some with religious affiliations, would be required to offer insurance that covers contraceptives with no co-payments, co-insurance or deductibles starting in August, with exemptions for faith institutions, such as churches, mosques and synagogues. Other religiously affiliated institutions, such as hospitals and universities, would be able to apply for a one-year transition period before complying, but they would not be exempt.
Republicans said the exemption is far too narrow and would force some employers to violate their consciences by providing health care plans that allow for coverage, without cost sharing, of health services they oppose.
Boehner called the ruling “an unambiguous attack on religious freedom in our country,” and McConnell said the rule would violate the First Amendment right of free practice of religion.
“This ruling should send a chill up the spine of people of all religious faiths — and even those with none at all,” McConnell said on the Senate floor Feb. 7. “Because, if the state is allowed to violate the religious rights of one religion, then surely it can violate those of others. If the rights of some are not protected, the rights of all are in danger.”
Democrats called it a veiled attack on women.
“Each time those on the other side attempt to exploit women’s rights for their own political gain, we hear the same excuses,” said Sen.
Still, not all Democrats are supporting the administration’s stance. Rep.
And Rep.
“It is my belief that a consensus can be reached so these religiously affiliated organizations do not have to offer coverage for contraceptive services, while at the same time finding a path to ensure access to this coverage for all women,” Larson said in the Jan. 31 letter to Sebelius.
Obama addressed the controversy Wednesday afternoon during an appearance at the Senate Democratic retreat at Nationals Park, according to Sen.
GOP Plans Fight Against Contraception Rule
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters that the administration was not concerned about “the political component” of the issue, noting that the transition period creates time to address opponents’ objections.
“We’re concerned about making sure that women get access to these important services, that women are treated equally around the country, regardless of where they work,” Carney said. “But we are very sensitive to and understand some of the concerns that have been expressed, and that is why as part of the original announcement of this by Secretary Sebelius, we put in place a process where further discussions could be had that would address, hopefully, some of these concerns and maybe allay some of them.”
Divisive Issue
Using the rule to try to drive a wedge between religious voters and the administration may be tricky, given that it has not been unilaterally opposed by religious groups. Catholics for Choice, the National Council of Jewish Women, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Association, Muslims for Progressive Values and 14 other religious groups offered their support for the ruling in a statement Wednesday.
Still, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has maintained vocal opposition since the group asked HHS to rescind the rule in August. In addition, the nonprofit Becket Fund for Religious Liberty has filed two lawsuits challenging the rule on behalf of Belmont Abbey College, a small Catholic liberal arts college in North Carolina, and Colorado Christian University, an interdenominational school near Denver.
In addition, a survey released this week by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute reported that 55 percent of respondents said employers should be required to provide employees with health plans covering contraception at no cost. Support for requiring religiously affiliated hospitals and universities to carry those plans was more closely divided, however, with 49 percent saying they should be required. Among Catholic voters, 45 percent were in support.
House Democrats warned that Republican attempts to reverse the ruling through legislation would result in “more of a backlash” from women and voters who want to see Congress focus on jobs.
“It would be at their peril, I believe, that they would try to undo this,” Rep.
Boehner said the House would try to change the rule “through regular order and appropriate legislative channels,” with the Energy and Commerce Committee taking the lead to “consider all possible options.”
Sebelius is scheduled to testify before the committee March 1, and members are likely to question her on the rule. Chairman
It’s unclear what legislative measure Republicans will pursue to undo the rule. A bill (
Rubio said Wednesday that he would prefer that the Obama administration voluntarily step back from the proposed regulations.
A more narrow bill (
GOP Plans Fight Against Contraception Rule
Niels Lesniewski and Jane Norman contributed to this story.