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Nelson: Obama birth control compromise “seems to solve the problem”

Posted Feb 10, 2012 by William March

Updated Feb 10, 2012 at 06:40 PM

Florida Sen. Bill Nelson issued a cautious statement today saying the President Barack Obama’s compromise on insurance coverage of birth control “seems to solve the problem” of church-affiliated organizations who objected to having their employee policies provide the coverage.

On Thursday, Nelson, who faces a potentially tough re-election fight, was one of a handful of Democratic senators who rebelled against the administration’s position.

The problem stems from a requirement of the Affordable Care Act, the national health care reform plan, that employee health policies cover preventive health care, including birth control. It exempted churches, but not church-affiliated organizations that hire and serve large numbers of people who are not members of the religion.

Nelson spokesman Dan McLaughlin said Thursday that Nelson believed the exemption should cover the affiliated organizations—“It’s a matter of religious freedom”—and that Nelson believes there must be a way to protect women’s health and religious freedom.

The compromise announced Friday said affiliated non-profit organizations could use policies that didn’t cover birth control, but the insurance companies would be required to make it available to employees with no premium increase and without involving the employer.

Administration officials said birth control, which prevents unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, should be considered cost-neutral for the insurance companies.

“This seems to solve the problem where religious affiliated institutions won’t have to provide coverage if it’s not in keeping with its beliefs and women will have access to contraception.  But I still intend to review the specifics of the rule,” Nelson said in a new statement today.

During the day today, leaders from opposing sides of the debate reacted positively but cautiously.

Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, head of the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops, said the bishops were reserving judgment but that Obama’s move was a good first step.

Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said the proposal “does not compromise a woman’s ability to access these critical birth control benefits,” but said the group intends to be vigilant about implementation of the policy.