I think the “compromise” is even worse than the original mandate (if such a thing is possible).
First, as the article points out, it forces insurers to give coverage for “free”, and this sets a horrible precedent.
But, in the real world, the insurers will simply raise the rates they charge religious institutions that object to covering contraceptives on moral grounds, anyway. Of course, the contraceptive coverage will be officially “free”, but the premiums to cover everything else will go up by whatever the contraceptive coverage would cost.
Roman Catholic and other religious organizations, and their employees who contribute to health insurance costs, will STILL be paying for contraceptive coverage.
The idea that insurance companies are simply going to absorb millions of dollars of costs, rather than passing them on by sneaking them into the premiums, is absurd.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking on this. But...the truth is that any Catholic of moral conscience that accepts health insurance coverage that requires birth control is committing a grave sin.
I know this won’t happen, but every Catholic that is of faith needs to demand a change in coverage or drop the insurance.
Such a decision is a matter of faith, but if people of faith want to whine about this mandate...then they need to walk the walk and trust God to do the rest.