Fearful of the political backlash, some presidential advisers, including the vice president, put out word that they argued against the policy.
On Friday, Obama retreated - or “caved’’ as the Drudge Report put it. The president announced a new plan that he said will enable women to get contraceptive coverage directly through insurance plans, without having to negotiate with religious institutions that oppose birth control. According to a fact sheet put out by the White House, under the new regulations, religious organizations won’t have to provide contraceptive coverage or refer employees to organizations that provide it. Contraception coverage will be offered to women directly by their employers’ insurance companies and insurance companies will be required to provide contraception coverage free of charge.
Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards backed the latest directive, with reservations. “We believe the compliance mechanism does not compromise a woman’s ability to access these critical birth control benefits,’’ she said in a statement. “However, we will be vigilant in holding the administration and the institutions accountable for a rigorous, fair, and consistent implementation of the policy. . .’’ Sister Carol Keehan, president of the Catholic Health Association and a key White House ally, said her organization was “very pleased’’ with the announcement.
Opponents framed the initial Obama policy as an assault on religious freedom. Would they feel the same way if Muslim rather than Catholic clergy were demanding exemptions on religious grounds? Obama never took them on.
“Why aren’t we messaging this better?’’ asked Democratic Senator Barbara Mikulski, of Maryland, during a meeting with Obama campaign manager Jim Messina, according to Politico.com.
Perhaps the answer lies once again in Obama’s ambivalence, generally, and in whom he ultimately places his trust.
