To the laundry list of demands made by House Republicans fighting health care reform, with the shutdown of the government and default on the national debt in the balance, add this last-minute item: limiting contraceptive coverage.
Multiple sources are reporting that Republicans have added language to the budget bill before the House that would allow employers and insurers to opt out of preventative care for women if the employer or insurer finds that care objectionable on moral or religious grounds. Obamacare rules require all insurers and employers except for religious nonprofit organizations to offer contraceptive coverage. This language would remove the contraceptive coverage requirement.
"The CR will include language to protect the #ReligiousLiberty of all Americans from the ravages of #ObamaCare’s #HHS mandate," tweeted Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS) Saturday evening.
Planned Parenthood responded in disbelief. "Unbelievable: House trying to roll back ACA birth control benefit as part of shutdown deal. Misguided, desperate and extreme," the organization said shortly after through Twitter.
