Obama Offers Birth Control Compromise to Religious Groups

Exempts some employers from paying

The Obama administration proposed yet another compromise Friday to address objections to its birth control policy. Under the Affordable Care Act, employers are required to provide women with coverage for “preventive care and screenings" including contraceptives -- at no cost. But many religious organizations that oppose artificial birth control have objected strongly. The proposed new rule would exempt churches, nonprofit religious organizations, and some religiously affiliated hospitals, universities and social service agencies from paying for and providing birth control coverage. Instead, insurance companies will provide the coverage free of charge through separate, individual health insurance policies. It’s not quite clear how much it would cost or who, exactly, would end up paying for it. (NY Times)

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