Richard Schwab Writes

Protecting religion, women's health

Thanks to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (signed into law on March 23, 2010,) most health insurance plans (effective August 1, 2012) will cover women's preventive services without charging a co-pay or deductible. These preventive services include well women visits, domestic violence screening, and contraception. All were recommended to the Secretary of Health and Human Services by the independent Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science.

Initially it was proposed, churches would be exempt from the rule. Though hospitals and universities with religious affiliations would have to comply.

Even though laws in 28 states currently have similar coverage requirements, the dogs of culture war were unleashed.

Political commentator Pat Buchanan barked, "In forcing the Catholic Church to violate its own principle, Obama has committed an act of federal aggression, crossing the line between church and state to appease his ACLU and feminist allies, while humiliating the Catholic bishops."

U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) growled that the Obama policy was an "unambiguous attack on religious freedom."

Republican opponents of the President are playing the issue as evidence that Obama wants government to control all aspects of American life, even religious life.

Nothing could be further from the truth. This isn't about the separation of church and state. Health care is the issue. It is a woman's right to have access to health care, including the right to make decisions about reproduction. And, that means including contraception in prescription drug coverage.

When it comes to users of birth control, its nearly every woman in America. Polls show that the vast majority of Catholics use contraception.

U.S Senator John Kerry (D-MA) stated, "What I'm urging is a compromise that respects the substantive goal of making sure that women have access to care... while respecting matters of religious faith."

On 2/10/12 President Obama found the balance when he announced churches remain exempt and employers in church-allied organizations will not be required to offer free contraceptive coverage for workers. Insurance companies rather than religious-affiliated institutions will take the lead in enrolling employees for the birth control benefits and cover the cost.

Contraceptive coverage saves insurance companies money - covering contraception is cheaper than covering pregnancy and child birth.

Sister Carol Keethan, the President and CEO of the Catholic Health Association and Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood issued statements applauding President Obama's balanced policy.

"The Catholic Health Association is very pleased with the White House announcement that a resolution has been reached that protects the religious liberty and conscience rights of Catholic institutions," Keethan said.

Richards indicated, "In the face of a misleading and outrageous assault on women's health, the Obama administration has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring all women will have access to birth control coverage."

In a nation of 300 million-plus people, there are always going to be big disagreements over issues like contraception and abortion. Contrary to the commonly held belief that such irreconcilable differences cannot be resolved, President Obama has shown us how.

Richard O. Schwab was formerly associate head of school, and middle school head, Cincinnati Country Day School. He is currently neighborhood team leader, Glendale Organizing For America Community Team (www.gofact.blogspot.com)