Being a Catholic myself, I completely understand the outrage. The entire concept goes against a core belief of the faith. However, aside from religious ramifications, as well, the timing – so soon before a presidential election – was clearly ill advised; though, would any time for this type of decision have been good?
As always, there are two sides to every debate, and those in support of the mandate argue that nearly thirty states have similar requirements in place already. As well, challenges to the state mandates based on faith have all been shot down – lending new meaning to the age old, illogical argument of ‘everyone's doing it.'
However, those against the mandate, aside from moral and constitutional issues, say there's a bit of an ‘out' when it comes to the state requirements – if an employer doesn't agree with said requirements, they can opt out of offering coverage – something that's not possible with the federal mandate.
Organizations weighing in on the debate, among others, include the National Right to Life Committee, Center for Reproductive Rights, and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Birth control has been in the forefront of the news in recent days. Susan G. Komen For the Cure's had recently announced it would cut its funding to Planned Parenthood because the group is currently under federal investigation, spurred by anti-abortion advocates – a decision it reversed only days later amid a maelstrom of criticism.
