The Obama administration has proposed a compromise over the mandated coverage of contraceptives in the Affordable Healthcare Act that was approved by Congress in 2012.
Officials state that the proposed mandate will more simply define the religious organizations that are exempt from the requirement altogether. Female employees would still have free access to contraception or a third party, however, the employer will not have to arrange for the coverage or pay for it.
It is not immediately clear whether the proposed regulation will satisfy the objections of faith-based organizations to the original law, which requires employers to cover birth control free of charge to female employees.
- The Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight has a fact sheet on changes to the plan.
- Reuters explains what brought about the new regulation, what it entails and what it will mean for secular and religious employers alike.
- Fox News reports that many of the lawsuits filed with religious organizations may be headed to the Supreme Court, even with the new proposed regulation.
- MSNBC explains the ways the new regulation will accomodate religious and faith-based groups who opposed the original legislation.
- According to CNN Politics, the new rule would let religious groups opt-out of contraception mandate.
- The Washington Post states that while the new mandate will allow many religious groups to be exempt from the original law, it will not block access to contraceptive coverage for female workers.
- Politico believes that the administraition has “backtracked on its requirement” for the second time in a year.
