Catholic Health Association ‘very concerned’ by contraception mandate

August 03, 2011

The Catholic Health Association (CHA)--which broke with the nation’s bishops by supporting health-care legislation passed in March 2010--has expressed its concern about a new mandate that requires private insurers to provide women with coverage for FDA-approved contraception.

A “religious employer” is exempt from the requirement only if it “primarily serves persons who share its religious tenets”-- effectively preventing Catholic hospitals from making use of the exemption.

“CHA is very concerned about the inadequacy of the conscience protections with respect to the coverage of contraception,” the organization stated. “As it stands, the language is not broad enough to protect our Catholic health providers. Catholic hospitals are a significant part of this nation's health care, especially in the care of the most vulnerable. It is critical that we be allowed to serve our nation without compromising our conscience.”

The association also stated it would also seek to demonstrate that some of the contraceptives covered under the mandate have an abortifacient effect.

“We appreciate that the Administration does not intend to include abortifacient drugs as covered contraception,” the association stated. “Our comments will address our concerns about the mechanism of action of certain FDA-approved contraceptive drugs.”

 

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Further information:

• Catholic Health Association Response to Women's Preventive Services Regulations (CHA)
• US: private insurers must offer free contraception under new mandate (CWN, 8/2)