Republicans vow to reverse a new federal policy that would require faith-based employers to provide birth control coverage in their insurance plans.
The new rule would even require religious schools, hospitals and charities to offer contraceptive services in their coverage. Churches and other houses of worship would be exempt.
The Catholic Church asserts that this violates its beliefs, despite a recent poll, which shows 58 percent of Catholics agree that health plans should birth control.
House Majority Leader John Boehner denounced the rule Wednesday.
“This attack by the federal government of religious freedom in our country must not stand and will not stand,” Boehner said.
The White House has said President Obama feels sensitive to the objections and is looking for a way to address them.
“The president is committed to implementing the policy that will ensure that women across the country, no matter where they work, will have access to the same health care coverage, and the same preventive care service, including contraception,” White House Secretary Jay Carney said.
Senior administration officials say policymakers are looking for an alternate solution, including allowing employees to purchase contraceptive coverage directly from insurers.
Twenty-eight states already have similar coverage requirements. The new policy begins August 1, but religious groups get a yearlong grace period.
