Who, exactly, are bishops serving?

Earlier this year the Department of Health and Human Services declared that birth control should be covered as part of women’s comprehensive preventive health care plans. This means no more co-pays for millions of women who use birth control to prevent pregnancy and for non-contraceptive purposes such as reducing cramps or migraines.

Last week, however, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) met with President Obama and asked him to deny this benefit to women at Catholic schools, hospitals, universities and other entities. What astounds me about this move is that the law already includes a provision for religious organizations. I do not expect St. Anne’s down the street to cover its employees’ birth control, but I do expect a hospital or institution of higher education (organizations that employ/serve a multi-faith public) to do so.

The elimination of co-pays for birth control is supported by 71 percent of American voters and 77 percent of Catholic women voters, making me wonder who the USCCB thinks they are serving with this move.

Rebecca McGovney-Ingram

Bothell

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