WASHINGTON — The Obama administration announced it would give Catholic hospitals and other religiously affiliated institutions an extra year to comply with a new rule requiring employers to provide free birth control in their health plans.
But the administration held fast to the underlying rule, despite objections from Catholic bishops and others who say they shouldn’t be forced to provide services at odds with their religious beliefs.
The requirement to provide free contraceptives doesn’t apply to churches, synagogues and other places of worship. It does affect universities and health care facilities with religious affiliations.
Most employers will be required to provide the free contraceptive services beginning Aug. 1. The one-year delay means religiously affiliated employers will be allowed to wait until Aug. 1, 2013.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the delay “strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services.”
