Catholic universities required to provide birth control? (merged)

#3
#3
they shouldn't if they're private. But are students really trying to make the case that they can afford the tuition at these schools but BC is too expensive?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#10
#10
Then again, the fact that they are covered doesn't require anyone to use it. Kind of like what Ron Paul says about legalization of drugs. Just because it's legal doesn't mean everyone should and will go out and do it.
Still, I'm on board that the government should back off and not mandate their agenda.
 
#14
#14
My priest read a letter from the Bishop today, and said that letters very similar would be read in every Catholic church this morning.
Pretty much, it said that the church would not be honoring this mandate by the federal government, and would take whatever penalty they decided to dish out for that. It specifically called out the Obama administration for trying to change this country's freedom of religion.
The Catholic church is typically more liberal than protestant churches. I wonder if an issue like this will affect Obama in the coming election. He's done one thing that has never been done before...he's brought together liberal and conservative Catholics.
 
#16
#16
I was wondering where this thread was and why people weren't talking more about it. Catholics are a pretty significant swing vote. From what I hear, the letter supposedly contained a call to political action, not sure if that jives with their non-profit status.

Did some digging, though and found this:

The ACA does not actually require everyone to pay for contraceptives. It says plainly that religious employers are exempt, if they meet the following criteria:

For purposes of this subsection, a “religious employer” is an organization that meets all of the following criteria:

(1) The inculcation of religious values is the purpose of the organization.
(2) The organization primarily employs persons who share the religious tenets of the organization.
(3) The organization serves primarily persons who share the religious tenets of the organization.
(4)The organization is a nonprofit organization
Click to expand...

This apparently mirrors existing state law in California, New York and Michigan among others. A number of states with the same exemptions as the ACA already require at least partial coverage of contraceptives, so I'm wondering where the outrage would have been there. The ACA already exempts churches, the debate is then over things like Catholic universities.

Also, this was posted back on August 1st on Healthcare.gov:

Affordable Care Act Rules on Expanding Access to Preventive Services for Women | HealthCare.gov

An interim final rule was released alongside the women’s prevention guidelines to give religious organizations the choice of buying or sponsoring group health insurance that does not cover contraception if that is inconsistent with their tenets. This proposal is modeled on the most common exemption available in the 28 states that already require insurance companies to cover contraception. We invite the public to comment on this proposal as we work to strike the balance between providing access to proven prevention and respecting religious beliefs. In the event that this exemption is modified, it would remain effective on August 1, 2012.
Click to expand...

So it looks like it can still be broadened. I'm sure that it will be.
 
#17
#17
I noticed no one was talking about this issue. The administration informed the Catholic Church that they have one year to comply with the requirement that anyone who works for the church and receives health insurance must have access to all approved medical procedures offered by that insurance. Previously, the church opted out of coverage that included abortion, contraception and sterilization, but under these new rules they would have to provide them. Considering Catholics make up about 27% of the electorate, why is the administration taking them on during an election year?

Obama decision ignites firestorm among conservative Catholics, church hierarchy | Texas on the Potomac | a Chron.com blog


Also, anyone tracking the instructions to Catholic Chaplains to not read a letter from their pulpits explaining their protest?

Army Silenced Chaplains Last Sunday - By Kathryn Jean Lopez - The Corner - National Review Online

While I'm not a Catholic, I support their position and don't think they should be forced to have their insurance coverage include medical procedures that go against their beliefs. I would hold the same position for any other religion that did not want certain medical practices imposed upon them by the government.

Why is the administration doing this now?
 
#18
#18
Why wouldn't it be up to the individual to use it or not? Maybe I'm missing it but is the dispute whether the church can force its members, as a condition of membership, to forego certain coverages?

If so, that just seems pretty weak. I mean, if you have to enforce your dogma by fiat, why do you want them in there to begin with?
 
#20
#20
Churches are exempt from this, it's in the aca. Theres another thread I posted it in.

The debacle is over universities, hospitals and that sort.
 
#22
#22
lawgator1 said:
Why wouldn't it be up to the individual to use it or not? Maybe I'm missing it but is the dispute whether the church can force its members, as a condition of membership, to forego certain coverages?

If so, that just seems pretty weak. I mean, if you have to enforce your dogma by fiat, why do you want them in there to begin with?
Click to expand...

I thought being Catholic was a choice. I'm guessing most are on board with the rules when they decided to become Catholic. This is not a smart move on BHO's part as, I think, the number of people affected is very small compared to the mud that will be thrown his way.
 
#25
#25
lawgator1 said:
Why wouldn't it be up to the individual to use it or not? Maybe I'm missing it but is the dispute whether the church can force its members, as a condition of membership, to forego certain coverages?

If so, that just seems pretty weak. I mean, if you have to enforce your dogma by fiat, why do you want them in there to begin with?
Click to expand...

If you are concerned with force, then you have this all kinds of backwards. The church is not forcing their members to obey, it is just failing to provide certain benefits (AKA compensation) to church employees. They don't like it? Work elsewhere. The government is attempting to force the church to provide said benefits.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top