Copyrighted Image? DMCA | Catholic leaders and the GOP prez candidates have intentionally distorted the Obama admin's new rule requiring employers and insurers to provide reproductive health benefits at no additional cost sharing. Conservatives are seeking a way to politically unite GOP voters around a social issue and portray the regulation as a big government intrusion into religious liberties. In reality, the mandate is modeled on existing rules in 6 states, exempts houses of worship and other religious nonprofits that primarily employ and serve people of faith, and offers employers a transitional period of 1 year to determine how best to comply with the rule. It's also nothing new. 28 states already require organizations that offer prescription insurance to cover contraception and since 98% of Catholic women use birth control, many Catholic institutions offer the benefit to their employees. See list: |