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Obama’s Contraceptive 'Compromise' Doesn't Pass the Smell Test ("It doesn't change a thing")
US News and World Report ^ | February 10, 2012 | Mary Kate Cary

Posted on 02/10/2012 1:44:27 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

Take a look at the White House fact sheet just released on the president's "accommodation" on the Health and Human Services ruling on contraceptives and religious liberty:

"Under the new policy to be announced today, women will have free preventive care that includes contraceptive services no matter where she [sic] works. The policy also ensures that if a woman works for a religious employer with objections to providing contraceptive services as part of its health plan, the religious employer will not be required to provide, pay for or refer for contraception coverage, but her insurance company will be required to directly offer her contraceptive care free of charge.

The new policy ensures women can get contraception without paying a co-pay and fully accomodates [sic] important concerns raised by religious groups by ensuring that objecting non-profit religious employers will not have to provide contraceptive coverage or refer women to organizations that provide contraception."

The language above reads that "women" (I believe the president means all women) will be receiving free preventive care under the Affordable Care Act, including contraception without a co-pay, "no matter where she works." And a woman's "insurance company will be required to directly offer her" free contraception. What has changed from earlier this week?

The administration is trying to pull a fast one here. "No matter where she works" sure sounds to me like it includes all religious employers. According to the language above, religious employers will still be compelled to offer health insurance to their employees that includes contraception, especially the morning-after pill—by the way, I don't think any Catholic considers a morning-after pill to be "preventive care"—only now under the guise that it's the insurance companies, not the employers, who are offering the healthcare plans. In our family, we get our health insurance through my husband's employer. Like most families, when we have issues with our coverage, it's not the H.R. department at my husband's office that I call. I call the health insurance company. Everyone knows that it is health insurance companies, not the employers, who offer the actual coverage. That's why this announcement today doesn't pass the smell test.

It doesn't change a thing. It's no surprise that Planned Parenthood released a statement in support of today's decision before the president had even announced it.

It's clear that the president felt he had to move quickly here, and I think the lack of thoughtfulness is going to backfire. It was obvious to anyone watching the news this week that this had become bigger than a fight about contraception and bigger than the Republican Party. It was becoming even bigger than Catholic voters.

Former White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley was the first to express concern, then according to Politico this week, the White House began losing Democratic support. Former Democratic National Committee chairman and Virginia Senate candidate Tim Kaine; the Democratic senator from Pennsylvania, Bob Casey; House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson; Democratic Rep. Daniel Lipinski of Illinois; and Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia all came out against the ruling. (Manchin, in fact, called the HHS ruling "un-American.") The outrage also widened beyond just Catholics: more and more religious leaders were signing on—in op-ed pages, on morning television shows, not to mention all the Shabbat and Christian services and Sunday masses this weekend. The White House knew it was losing ground quickly and they're hoping this will stop the outrage.

The ruling to force universal "access to preventive care" was a deliberate decision by the White House, months in the making, and this so-called "accommodation" reinforces the administration's commitment to its prochoice agenda. It does nothing to accommodate people of good faith who disagree with the president; instead he accuses those who object to his policy of trying to create a "political football." The reason this struck such a chord with so many is not because it was about birth control pills or even access to care. This galvanized people across the board because it threatened religious freedom for all denominations, it was an issue of conscience that cut across party lines, and it touched the lives of everyone who is involved with good church-run community organizations that I believe still face bankruptcy for their beliefs. This isn't over yet.

**********

Mary Kate Cary is a former White House speechwriter for President George H.W. Bush. She currently writes speeches for political and business leaders.


TOPICS: Catholic; Moral Issues; Religion & Politics; Religion & Science
KEYWORDS: abortion; catholics; contraception; firstamendment; moralabsolutes; obama; obmacare; plannedparenthood
Bill Daley is a Catholic.
1 posted on 02/10/2012 1:44:40 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

No, it doesn’t change a thing.

An edge of a wedge is still an edge.


2 posted on 02/10/2012 1:47:09 PM PST by Jonty30 (What Islam and secularism have in common is that they are both death cults.)
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To: Jonty30
Usually when a fool reaches bottom, he quits digging.
Barky on the other hand...
3 posted on 02/10/2012 1:50:15 PM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (Beware the Sweater Vest)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I suppose its a side issue, but can someone answer this question?

How does a president get to tell an entire industry that they must give something away “free”? where does this authority come from?


4 posted on 02/10/2012 1:52:18 PM PST by Cubs Fan (The biggest, most pernicious greed of all -- government greed)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

“the religious employer will not be required to provide, pay for or refer for contraception coverage, but her insurance company will be required to directly offer her contraceptive care free of charge.”

Obama shows no understanding of how insurance works (sort of disturbing since he takes such an interest in it).

My company self insures...we pay BC/BS to manage our paperwork and put a ‘face’ on our insurance plan. But make no mistake, its our money, in its own little pot. This is a common way for mid sized companies to insure its employees.

Where does O think insurance companies get their money anyway? ;Somebody else’s stash?


5 posted on 02/10/2012 1:53:15 PM PST by lacrew (Mr. Soetoro, we regret to inform you that your race card is over the credit limit.)
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To: Cubs Fan

“How does a president get to tell an entire industry that they must give something away “free”? where does this authority come from?”

The Obamacare bill...reason number 47 why its not constitutional...except I wouldn’t count on the SCOTUS to come to the same conclusion.


6 posted on 02/10/2012 1:54:56 PM PST by lacrew (Mr. Soetoro, we regret to inform you that your race card is over the credit limit.)
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To: Cubs Fan

It is truly mind boggling to behold the unmitigated gall. We have 535 elected represemtatives. You could not construct a single functioning backbone from the lot of them.

I remember America. RIP.


7 posted on 02/10/2012 1:56:49 PM PST by don-o (He will not share His glory and He will NOT be mocked! Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.)
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To: Cubs Fan

Congress passed ObamaCare, this is just “ironing” out the details, as i understand it.


8 posted on 02/10/2012 1:58:52 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (You can't invade the US. There'd be a rifle behind every blade of grass.~Admiral Yamamoto)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

What sucks is that you and I are paying for the murder of unborn children.

How does that make you feel?


9 posted on 02/10/2012 2:04:15 PM PST by BornToBeAmerican (Kindness will conquer evil)
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To: lacrew

Obama is trying to collapse every aspect of this society. His goal is destroy this country.

Either we will destroy him in November at the ballot box, or he will destroy us with 4 more years of this treason.


10 posted on 02/10/2012 2:05:27 PM PST by GlockThe Vote (The Obama Adminstration: 2nd wave of attacks on America after 9/11)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

What this really tells me is that the entire administration has no idea how medical insurance works. (or, they don’t care, it’s just a sound bite, we’ll figure out the details later...)

Of course, mandating payment and coverage takes it out of the realm of insurance anyway, and makes it strictly a 3rd party payer.

Which is why all medical insurance companies will go broke within a few years.

For instance- if you can’t exclude the idiot who keeps gasoline in his attic from getting fire insurance, then it’s not really insurance, right?


11 posted on 02/10/2012 2:12:00 PM PST by Clarence
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

NOTHING IS FREE.

They can raise the rates, and call it free but the insured is paying for it.

Why does Obama feel that Birth Control Sterilisation, and Abortions should be free or paid for by those who do not want them.

If you want Birth Control fine. BUY it.
Abortion? It’s your choice PAY for it.
Sterilisation? Great Pay for it.

Why shoud I have to pay because some teen ager can’t keep her legs closed.


12 posted on 02/10/2012 2:12:47 PM PST by Venturer
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Poltically, he has touched the tar baby and is getting in deeper and deeper.

Any one asked the Hispanics (who are largely Catholic) what they think?

13 posted on 02/10/2012 2:20:26 PM PST by llevrok (SEIU? STFU.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

It comes down to 1 thing....who are they to force anyone to do anything?


14 posted on 02/10/2012 2:29:05 PM PST by ColdOne (I miss my poochie... Tasha 2000~3/14/11)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

So did obummer renege or not...At the end of the day, he still has his hand in someone’s pocket — Nothing in life is free.


15 posted on 02/10/2012 2:35:16 PM PST by areukiddingme1 (areukiddingme1 is a synonym for a Retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer and tired of liberal BS.))
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To: Cubs Fan

Cubs Fan, authority comes from the Mikulski amendment, where the senator refused to exclude abortion from the amendment. I tried to post a link on another thread but my post wasn’t approved. If you go to cnsnewsDOTcom and use the search box to bring up a 7/15/09 article titled “How Senator Mikulski Slipped an Abortion Mandate into the Health Care Bill” you can find out more.

Mikulski gave HHS authority to define anything preventive, even if it’s elective and clearly not a disease preventive. This forces everyone to subsidize it via insurance premiums. And also via federal taxes because taxes will subsidize certain types of insurance policies, and most likely preventive care grants as well.


16 posted on 02/10/2012 4:03:02 PM PST by JustMeMcGee
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To: BornToBeAmerican

The most Marian country in the world (w/the possible exception of Poland) may be my next stop:

http://www.LivingInThePhilippines.com

Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution says, in part, “Section 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception.

The act is criminalized by the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, which was enacted in 1930 and remains in effect today. Articles 256, 258 and 259 of the Code mandate imprisonment for the woman who undergoes the abortion, as well as for any person who assists in the procedure, even if they be the woman’s parents, a physician or midwife. Article 258 further imposes a higher prison term on the woman or her parents if the abortion is undertaken “in order to conceal [the woman’s] dishonor”.


17 posted on 02/10/2012 6:53:38 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (You can't invade the US. There'd be a rifle behind every blade of grass.~Admiral Yamamoto)
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To: don-o
Call, fax, email your Senators and representatives.

U. S. Senate

U. S. House of Representatives

Toll free capital switchboard numbers are:

800-965-4701

18 posted on 02/10/2012 7:36:27 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Obama’s Contraceptive 'Compromise' Doesn't Pass the Smell Test ("It doesn't change a thing")
Compromise or Accommodation, it’s still unacceptable. (updated from Catholic Vote)
Pres. Obama’s “Plan B” compromise, Sr. Keehan, and the Magisterium of Nuns
Land Says Obama Mandate Most Anti-Catholic Government Action in 150 Years
Motive, Means and Opportunity: Obama’s Assault on Catholics
(Exempt Catholics) Joe Biden, Bill Daley warned of contraceptive backlash
(Tim) Thomas makes second political statement (Stands With Catholics)
Southern Baptist leader: If Obama mandate isn’t changed, Christians will go to jail
Over 150 congressional leaders demand repeal of HHS mandate

Boehner vows to overturn Obama’s birth control coverage rule
Boehner: Congress to overturn birth control policy if Obama does not reverse course
O'Brien says Archdiocese of Baltimore won't offer birth control coverage
Archbishop of San Francisco says Obama ruling strikes at religious freedom
How Obama Lost the Catholic Vote
‘I am going to stick with fellow Catholics’ in Pres. Obama’s war on Catholics. Wherein Fr. Z rants.
Unholy War
Six Things Everyone Should Know about the HHS Mandate
Santorum: Obama Hostile to Christians
Understanding Oppostion to the HHS Mandate (Part 1): Why the Church Won’t Pay for Contracept

The Bishops Chickens Coming Home to Roost.
65 Orthodox Church bishops call on Obama to ‘rescind’ the ‘unjust’ contraception mandate
Doug Kmiec Writes Obama: 'Friendship Will Not Permit Me to Disregard Duty to Faith and Country'
Catholic Outcry Over Obama Administration's Birth Control Decision Could Factor In Presidential Race
Standing with the Bishops [Catholic Caucus]
Updated: *167* Bishops (More Than 90% of Dioceses) Have Spoken Out Against Obama/HHS Mandate
Outrage!… Military Tells Chaplains What They Can and Can’t Say About HHS/ObamaAssault on Religion
Updated: *153* Bishops (Over 80% of Dioceses) Have Spoken Out Against Obama/HHS Mandate
An Affront Catholics Agree On [Liberal and Conservative Catholics Against Obama Mandate]
Army Silenced Chaplains Last Sunday

Catholic Military Archdiocese & Chaplains interfered with last Sunday by Pres. Obama’s Admin
The Anti-Catholic President v. the Catholic Bishops
Sen. Rubio introduces bill to reverse Obama birth control mandate
Churches balk at birth control rule - Catholics won’t comply, Bishop Kevin Rhoades says
Protestants and Jews declare to White House: We stand with Catholics
Checking the Air Outside [Bp. Zubik's follow up to Obama's “To Hell with You”]
Mohler [Southern Baptist] Says Insurance Mandate Not Just 'Catholic' Issue
An Open Letter to President Barack Obama Concerning Recent Tyranny (With Pictures!)
Lincoln bishop: prepare for 'suffering' under HHS mandate
Bishop David Zubik confronts Obama
Obama’s ‘war on the church’

Pope hits out at 'radical secularism'
‘We Will Not Comply’: Catholic Leaders Distribute Letter Slamming Obama Admin Contraceptive Mandate
‘We Will Not Comply’: Catholic Leaders Distribute Letter Slamming Obama Admin Contraceptive Mandate
Bruskewitz: Fight Insurance Ruling [Sebelius a "bitter, fallen away Catholic"]
Letter from Archbishop John G. Vlazny on the matter of freedom of conscience and decisions by HHS
Bishop Olmsted's Letter to Catholics [Catholic Caucus]
Liberty for the Amish & Quakers but not Catholics. . .
Contraception mandate prompts Peoria bishop to instate St. Michael Prayer (Catholic Caucus)
Phoenix bishop (Olmstead): defy feds on birth control
A letter from Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr concerning HHS edict

Speak honestly: abortion is ‘the killing of tiny human beings in the womb’ – Denver bishop
Bishop [Daniel Jenky] Blasts Secularist Intolerance, Calls For ‘Assertive Action’ to Defend Church
(Pittsburgh Bishop Zubik comments:) HHS delays rule on contraceptive coverage
Dolan: Natural law, not religious preference, dictates all life sacred
Religious leaders blast HHS over contraception mandate
Mandated Contraception, Sterilization: Caesar Demands Church Violate Conscience
OBAMA’S CONTEMPT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (mandates coverage of sterilization & contraception)
Implications of Obama Admin move to force Cath hospitals to provide contraception and sterilizations
Catholic doctors’ group launches petition against contraception mandate
Contraception mandate tramples religious freedom, US bishops say

19 posted on 02/10/2012 7:38:39 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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