CONTROVERSIAL BIRTH CONTROL BILL Catholic Leaders Concerned About Birth Control Proposal
Reported by: Kristin Keeling
Web Producer: Kristin Keeling
Reported: Feb. 12, 2012 6:51 PM EST
Updated: Feb. 12, 2012 7:11 PM EST
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
A revamped health care rule on birth control is lighting up controversy from the ones who simply don't believe in it.
The new rule would mandate insurance companies of employers, including religious hospitals, religious schools and other organizations to offer birth control to women for free. Churches would be exempt.
The plan has drawn plenty of criticism from religious leaders and politicians on both sides of the aisle. Senator Joe Manchin says it violates the constitution and religious rights.
"When you think about a religious organization that now cannot make a decision on what they offer or not, that's all we're saying and they should have the right to do it," said Senator Manchin.
Monsignor Sadie at Sacred Heart in Charleston says the issue never should have came up in the first place. "You cannot expect Catholics to pay or provide these services when they're against everything we stand for. And we're not going to stand for it. We're not going to do it," explained Monsignor Sadie.
The Catholic religion opposes premarital sex and does not condone contraceptives.
Friday, President Obama issued a compromise saying employees can get free birth control directly from their health insurance company and not their employers.
But still many Catholic leaders don't see the distinction and aren't buying it.
"It's unbelievable! And I can't imagine why his advisers would let him do this especially in an election year. I mean, as one Bishop put it, he's snubbing his noes at Catholics throughout the country," said Monsignor Sadie.
Other groups who opposed the original rule ended up supporting President Obama's change on Friday.
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Kristin Keeling
