It was becoming clear that the political battle would be won by whoever managed to frame the issue in its favor: as a matter of women's health and access to birth control, which most Americans support, or as a matter of constitutionally-protected religious freedom, which many Americans hold dear. And hanging in the balance, of course, are crucial swing voters next November. Well, for some reason the Church has decided to make it easier for Obama administration to frame it on its terms: as a matter of easing access to contraception for all women. Check out the latest development in Wednesday night's report from USA Today:
The rule goes into effect Aug. 1, but if objections are raised, another year's extension is possible. That was no consolation to Catholic leaders. The White House is "all talk, no action" on moving toward compromise, said Anthony Picarello, general counsel for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. "There has been a lot of talk in the last couple days about compromise, but it sounds to us like a way to turn down the heat, to placate people without doing anything in particular," Picarello said. "We're not going to do anything until this is fixed."
That means removing the provision from the health care law altogether, he said, not simply changing it for Catholic employers and their insurers. He cited the problem that would create for "good Catholic business people who can't in good conscience cooperate with this."
"If I quit this job and opened a Taco Bell, I'd be covered by the mandate," Picarello said.
On Birth Control, Obama Saved By The Taco Bell?
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Seeded on Thu Feb 9, 2012 11:11 AM
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