The Delegation Reacts to Obama’s Comments on HHS Birth Control Mandate

U.S. Reps. John Larson and Rosa DeLauro each reacted to President Obama’s comments this morning regarding a controversial Department of Health and Human Services policy on contraception.

Larson: “As a strong supporter of healthcare reform and the plan to provide free preventative care – including contraception – to all Americans, I want to applaud President Obama for finding a path forward to provide coverage to everyone while addressing the conscience concerns of religiously-affiliated organizations.

“It’s clear that the President listened to the concerns of religious organizations, like Catholic Health Services, and took them seriously.  As Sister Carol Keehan said ‘we are pleased and grateful that the religious liberty and conscience protection needs of so many ministries that serve our country were appreciated enough that an early resolution of this issue was accomplished.’ The result will be that every woman in America, no matter where she works, will have access to free contraceptive services, while no religiously-affiliated institution will have to provide coverage for these services.

“In this politically charged environment, it is heartening to see that we can come together to find a path forward that protects the health needs of women while recognizing the conscience concerns of religious institutions.”

DeLauro: “The Affordable Care Act was a transformative law for all Americans, and particularly for women, ensuring access to quality, affordable health care. This policy preserves the necessary balance between women’s access to the health care they need, at no additional cost— as defined by the non-partisan, scientifically-based Institute of Medicine— while being respectful of churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship. This compromise upholds the same objectives as last month’s announcement, which I have strongly supported, and I will work to ensure that this policy is implemented in a fair and equal way that does not compromise women’s access to preventive health services regardless of their employer.”

Other members of the state’s delegation also weighed in.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney: “I applaud the Administration’s new rule, which balances First Amendment religious concerns with women’s rights and women’s health. The prior rule imposed a financial and legal obligation on faith-affiliated institutions that would have potentially disrupted employee coverage and ensnared the health care law in years of litigation.

“The fact that the rule announced today has already won endorsements from a diverse group, including Planned Parenthood and Sister Carol Keehan, the president of the Catholic Health Association – a trade group representing Catholic hospitals – demonstrates that a true middle ground has been reached.”

U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy: “The President has outlined a solution that assures that all women, regardless of where they work, will have access to insurance coverage for contraception, in a way that respects the concerns of religious institutions and their affiliates. That was the bottom line for me, and I’m glad it was for the President as well. Today’s announcement won’t change the fact that women’s rights are under assault in Washington, and I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure that women, wherever they live or wherever they work, have access to the full range of reproductive and preventative health services.”

Sen. Richard Blumenthal: “My primary concern is that women have access to no-cost, basic preventative health services including birth control and the ability to make their own medical decisions, regardless of where they work. The President has recommitted himself to that promise, set forth in the Affordable Care Act. Protecting individual rights and liberties – including access to basic health care – requires continuing vigilance. I will fight unfortunate and unfounded legislative proposals that reflect a continuing assault on women’s health care.”