WASHINGTON (WKOW) - President Barack Obama heard opinions from both inside and outside the White House with his decision on birth control policy.
He risked a fierce backlash if he required religious employers to provide insurance coverage for contraception in violation of their beliefs.
Catholic groups and officials sent letters and wrote opinion columns. The groups also spoke with White House aides. Vice President Joe Biden and other officials said the need to aware of the consequences is important, given how Catholic groups would view the decision.
Women's health advocates and their allies were adamant about the importance of making free contraception available to all women. Women's health advocates discussed this with their allies inside the White House.
********
WASHINGTON (WKOW) -- President Barack Obama says a revamped birth control policy will both protect religious liberties and protect women's access to contraception.
President Obama addressed the media from the White House Friday morning. He announced changes to the policy that has generated criticism from religious groups and others who say it would force them to violate their faith.
Obama urged politicians not to use the complicated matter as a wedge issue.
Under the changes, religious employers will not have to cover birth control for their employees. Instead, the government will demand that insurance companies be directly responsible for providing free contraception.
********
WASHINGTON (WKOW) -- A person familiar with the decision says President Barack Obama will announce a plan that accommodates religious employers upset over a rule that makes them cover birth control for women free of charge.
The president is expected to make the announcement Friday at the White House.
The Obama administration said in January that religious-affiliated employers were required to cover birth control as preventative care for women. Churches and houses of worship were exempt, but all other affiliated organizations had to comply by August of 2013.
Catholic cardinals and bishops as well as Republican leaders were opposed to the decision. Many opponents responded with outrage.
The person who knows of the president's decision requested anonymity in order to speak before the official announcement was made.
President Obama will address the media at a press conference Friday at 11:15 a.m. Watch Obama speak live at www.wkow.com/live.
