Facing pressure from religious groups, Republicans, and even some members of his own party, President Barack Obama announced Friday that religiously affiliated institutions will not be required to directly provide women with access to contraceptive services under the health care reform law.
Obama said that the religious institutions like hospitals and universities would be exempt from the requirement and the insurance company would instead be required to offer the woman contraceptive care.
"Under the rule, women will still have access to free preventive care that includes contraceptive services -- no matter where they work," Obama said in remarks in the White House Briefing Room. "So that core principle remains."
He added, "But if a woman's employer is a charity or a hospital that has a religious objection to providing contraceptive services as part of their health plan, the insurance company -- not the hospital, not the charity -- will be required to reach out and offer the woman contraceptive care free of charge, without co-pays and without hassles."
Obama said that the result of the compromise would be that the religiously affiliated employers will not have to pay for or directly provide contraceptive services, but women who work for such institutions will still have access to free contraceptive services.
"I understand some folks in Washington may want to treat this as another political wedge issue, but it shouldn't be. I certainly never saw it that way," Obama said. "This is an issue where people of goodwill on both sides of the debate have been sorting through some very complicated questions to find a solution that works for everyone."
"With today's announcement, we've done that," he added. "Religious liberty will be protected, and a law that requires free preventive care will not discriminate against women."
The announcement from Obama comes as the administration has faced considerable criticism for seemingly forcing religious institutions to offer healthcare plans that include contraceptive services.
A number of religious groups, particularly those affiliated with the Catholic Church, oppose the use of contraception on theological grounds.
The Catholic Health Association of the United States released a statement indicating that it was pleased with the announcement from the White House.
Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, president and CEO of the CHA, said, "We are pleased and grateful that the religious liberty and conscience protection needs of so many ministries that serve our country were appreciated enough that an early resolution of this issue was accomplished."
"This difference has at times been uncomfortable but it has helped our country sort through an issue that has been important throughout the history of our great democracy," she added.
Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, also released a statement in support of the compromise.
Not everyone was satisfied with the announcement, however, with Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., calling the compromise a "betrayal to people of faith."
"The President simply doesn't get it," Johanns said in a statement. "The fact is, for the federal government to require every health care plan in the country to include contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs is wrong."
"This is not about who's put in charge of making sure it happens," he added. "If it is forced by the government, religious organizations still must provide it and that's a violation of conscience rights, period."
Johanns suggested that the decision shows that Obama is disconnected from the "churches, hospitals, and every American whose conscience is violated by this rule."
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