WASHINGTON —
Retreating in the face of a political uproar, President Barack Obama today will announce that religious employers will not have to cover birth control for their employees after all, The Associated Press has learned. The administration instead will demand that insurance companies will be the ones directly responsible for providing free contraception.
Obama’s abrupt shift is an attempt to satisfy both sides of a deeply sensitive debate, and most urgently, to end a mounting election-year nightmare for the White House.
Women will still get guaranteed access to birth control without co-pays or premiums no matter where they work, a provision of Obama’s health care law that he insisted must remain. But religious universities and hospitals that see contraception as an unconscionable violation of their faith can refuse to cover it, and insurance companies will then have to step in to do so.
Obama will speak about his decision at 12:15 p.m. EST.
Senior administration officials confirmed the details to the AP but insisted they remain anonymous in advance of the president’s announcement.
By keeping free contraception for employers at religious workplaces — but providing a different way to do it — the White House will assert it gave no ground on the basic principle of full preventative care that matters most to Obama.
Yet, it also was clear that Obama felt he had no choice but to retreat on a three-week-old policy in the face of a fierce political furor that showed no signs of cooling.
The White House consulted leaders on both sides of the debate to forge a decision.
And officials said Obama has the legal authority to order insurance companies to provide free contraception coverage directly to workers. He will demand it in a new rule.
Following an intense White House debate that led to the original policy, officials said Obama seriously weighed the concerns over religious liberty, leading to the revamped decision.
It was just on Jan. 20 that the Obama administration announced that religious-affiliated employers — outside of churches and houses of worships — had to cover birth control free of charge as preventative care for women. These hospitals, schools and charities were given an extra year to comply, until August 2013, but that concession failed to satisfy opponents, who responded with outrage.
Catholic cardinals and bishops across the country assailed the policy in Sunday Masses. Republican leaders in Congress promised emergency legislation to overturn Obama’s move. The president’s rivals in the race for the White House accused him of attacking religion. Prominent lawmakers from Obama’s own party began openly deriding the policy.
The sentiment on the other side, though, was also fierce. Women’s groups, liberal religious leaders and health advocates pressed Obama not to cave in on the issue.
The furor has consumed media attention and threatened to undermine Obama’s re-election bid just as he was in a stride over improving economic news. Political reality forced the White House to come up with a solution to a complex matter must faster than anticipated.
The fact that Obama himself will deliver the news was a sign of the stakes.
Under the new policy, religious employers will not be required to offer contraception and will not have to refer their employees to places that provide it.
If such an employer opts out, the employer’s insurance company must provide birth control for free in a separate arrangement with workers who want it.
The change will still take affect with an extra year built in, in August 2013.
Already, 28 states had required health insurance plans to cover birth control before the federal regulations were issued.
However, they appear to have differing exemptions for religious employers.
Obama’s health care law requires most insurance plans to cover women’s preventative services, without a co-pay, starting on Aug. 1, 2012. Those services include well women visits, domestic violence screening and contraception, all designed to encourage health care that many women may otherwise find unaffordable.
The White House says covering contraception saves insurance companies money by keeping women healthy; how the insurance industry will see the mandate is another question.
Without adjusting his stand, Obama has risked alienated Catholics who have become courted swing voters in such pivotal political states as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. In 2008, Obama won 54 percent of the total Catholic vote, compared to 45 percent for Republican John McCain.
As the week wore on, the White House increasingly signaled that a change was coming.
Vice President Joe Biden, a Catholic, said in a radio interview Thursday that “there is going to be a significant attempt to work this out and there is time to do that.”
Outside advocates were urging a quick resolution.
“As a Catholic I don’t want to hear about this in Mass every week until the election,” said Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats For Life of America. “I don’t think it’s good for the party and I don’t think it’s good for Obama’s re-election chances.”
Associated Press writer Erica Werner contributed to this story.
Health & Fitness
AP sources: Obama revamping birth control policy
- Health & Fitness
-
-
World MS Day celebrated on May 30
Multiple Sclerosis affects the lives of over 2 million people around the world (an estimated 10,000 to 14,000 MS sufferers live in Indiana). World MS Day was launched in 2009 and is spearheaded by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation. Last year, events took place in more than 73 countries to raise awareness of this auto-immune disease which can cause symptoms ranging from mild numbness to pain or paralysis.
-
Study: Stigma exists with free health care
A new study by Indiana University sociologists found that a stigma exists against individuals seeking free health care services. Patients of a free health care clinic reported in a survey that many people would be embarrassed about admitting they sought services from such a clinic.
-
NEWSMAKER: May 23, 2012
The American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy honored Dr. David Williams as the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Society’s 15th Annual Meeting on Saturday in Milwaukee.
-
BRIEFLY: May 23, 2012
• America’s Boating course seminars set
• Therapeutic yoga classes coming up
• DSI golf tourney slated for June 6
• Vigo tire amnesty day set for June 2
• Mayhem at Mill Creek scheduled
- SUPPORT GROUPS: May 23, 2012
-
VIDEO: Suspected TB case at Woodrow Wilson
A suspected case of tuberculosis at Woodrow Wilson Middle School has prompted free testing next week for students and staff at the east side Terre Haute school. Testing is not mandatory and parental permission is required for students.
-
IU dermatologist gives sun protection tips
With the days growing longer and the temperatures rising, Hoosiers are spending more time outdoors.
-
ISU class works with hospital on projects
Several Indiana State University students swallowed their anxiety as they started discussing their group projects — presenting to dozens of managers, supervisors and senior leaders at Union Hospital.
- SUPPORT GROUPS: May 16, 2012
-
Relay for Life event includes Bark for Life
A huge Relay for Life event is being conducted on Saturday at the Parke County Fairgrounds. This fun-filled event includes activities for the entire family, including the dog.
-
Great Strides walk for Cystic Fibrosis is Sunday
On Sunday, the Great Strides walk for CF will take place at Hawthorn Park in Vigo County.
-
Indiana Family Helpline gets new number
Change has come for the Indiana Family Helpline, a free comprehensive information and referral program operated by the Indiana State Department of Health. The phone number has been updated to help make it easier for callers to remember. The new toll-free number is 1-855-HELP-1ST (1-855-435-7178).
-
HEALTH BRIEFLY: May 9, 2012
• Event on ‘Living with Alzheimer’s’
• Long-term care workshop at AAA
• Essence of Red offers free CPR training
• May is ALS Awareness Month
• Rise and Shine Dine With a Doc set
• Organizers prepare for triathlon
• Event for Alzheimer’s Association planned
• Learn to boost your energy at program
• ‘Be The Match’ donor event set
- SUPPORT GROUPS: May 9, 2012
-
May brings action, awareness on asthma
Nearly 25 million Americans suffer from asthma, a disease that affects the lungs by causing episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing. Children are especially susceptible as one out of every 10 school-aged children has asthma in the United States. Asthma is one of the most common serious chronic diseases of childhood.
-
Planned Parenthood to offer free Pap tests
Planned Parenthood of Indiana will offer free Pap tests at 19 of its health centers in celebration of National Women’s Health Week, May 13-19. The Terre Haute Planned Parenthood will offer the tests on Tuesday.
-
National Women’s Health Week coming up
Professional Hearing & Audiology Clinic is joining the Better Hearing Institute and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in celebrating National Women’s Health Week, by offering free hearing examinations May 14-18 for women in the community.
-
Hospital sponsors marrow donor registration drive
Each year, 5,000 patients in need of a bone marrow transplant go without one. On May 10, Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center will host a “Be The Match” bone marrow donor registration drive in celebration of National Hospital Week.
-
Union-Clinton to partner with Providence Medical Group
Union Hospital Clinton’s telemedicine program is expanding to include hematology and oncology services.
-
Paint The Town Pink Carnation Sale is May 11
The Wabash Valley Breast Cancer Survivor Organization will paint a huge pink ribbon on the pavement at Sixth Street and Wabash Avenue on Sunday to kick off its 11th annual Paint The Town Pink Carnation Sale on May 11.
-
HEALTH BRIEFLY: May 2, 2012
• Vision loss meeting for veterans set
• Rose offering swim lessons this summer
• Crawford Triathlon prep under way
• Vera Bradley Bingo fundraiser set
- SUPPORT GROUPS: May 2, 2012
-
Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is Saturday
The Vigo County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners, will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
-
Free car seat check-up at Central Christian Church
CHANCES for Indiana Youth is teaming up with Central Christian Church in Terre Haute to help parents and caregivers make sure their child safety seats are properly installed in their vehicles.
-
Ask SHIP: April 25, 2012
Q: My friend says she gets extra help paying for her Medicare prescription costs. I have not been able to afford all of my prescriptions lately and wonder if I qualify too.
-
Marrow donor drive planned
Mark your calendar for May 10 to participate in a “Be The Match” bone marrow donor registration drive at Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center.
-
Caregivers Expo set in Paris
The 10th annual Caregivers Expo for informal caregivers throughout the community will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 21 in the Visiting Specialty Clinic lobby at Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center.
-
Dine with a Doc welcomes dentist
The next Senior Education Ministries Inc. Rise and Shine Dine with a Doc community education program is scheduled 8 to 10 a.m. Friday in the Wabash Senior Citizens Center at 300 S. Fifth St. in Terre Haute.
-
PREP ROUNDUP: North, South track teams pick up wins
Logan Hambrock won the 800 meters in a time of 2:05.95 and edged teammate Jackson Bertoli in the 1,600 with a time of 4:36.13 to help Terre Haute South win a three-way boys high school track and field meet at Edgewood. Hambrock also teamed with Bertoli, Devon Fuson and Scotty Noble to help the Braves with the 3,200 relay in a time of 8:36.
-
Workshop to help adults with chronic illness
Area 7 Agency on Aging and Disabled is offering a workshop for adults with chronic health conditions or those living with or caring for people with chronic conditions.
- More Health & Fitness Headlines
-
World MS Day celebrated on May 30
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
Vegas Grocer Deported to Face War Crimes Charges
Hurricane Forecast: 15 Named Storms Expected
NJ Official: NYPD Muslim Surveillance Legal
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Sudden Storm Topples Wisconsin Trees
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Man Tells Police He Killed Missing Boy in 1979
Raw Video: Wildfire Burns 110 Square Miles
Search Intensifies for Missing Louisiana Woman
Bloomberg: Man Implicates Self in Etan Patz Case
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Heidi Klum Goes Sheer
Shark Attacks Australian Fishing Boat
Alison Brie Likes To Jog Naked
Kayaker Survives Trip Over Washington Waterfall
Snoop Dog throws 1st pitch at White Sox game
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Alton's Best Burger Ever
Ellie Kemper's Stripper Surprise on 'Ellen'
Maddie the Balancing Dog On Cross-Country Trip
Crawford's Sexy Leather Look
Boys eyes 'removed with spoon'
"Twilight" Stars Caught Kissing
Etan Patz Case: Suspect Arrested
Britney's Hot Pink Mini-Dress
Wrongfully accused rapist exonerated after 5 years in jail
Actress to Play Casey Anthony
Prince William on The Queen: 'Woman in Man's World'
Fight erupts in Ukrainian parliament over language bill.
