Updated 02/10/2012 07:18 PM
Revised Birth Control Mandate Not An Instant Sell For Dolan
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Amid blistering criticism, President Barack Obama on Friday announced a change to his policy that requires most employers to provide birth control for workers, but it remains to be seen if the changes are enough to satisfy his critics, including Archbishop Timothy Dolan. NY1’s Josh Robin filed the following report.President Barack Obama on Friday announced a decision that he hopes will quiet a weeks-long uproar.
He's requiring all insurance companies to provide free contraceptives even in those plans run by—and paid by—the Catholic Church, which opposes birth control on religious grounds.
Previously, those groups themselves had to provide the pill.
That unleashed harsh criticism from Catholic groups, and those courting them on the campaign trail.
"You bet we got a disagreement," said Archbishop Timothy Dolan back in January.
The president tried to mitigate that problem Friday.
"This is an issue where people of goodwill on both sides of the debate have been sorting through some very complicated questions to find a solution that works for everyone. With today’s announcement, we've done that. Religious liberty will be protected, and a law that requires free preventive care will not discriminate against women," said Obama.
As for whether the storm has passed, it's probably too soon to tell. The Catholic Church, and particularly Dolan, would only call it a step in the right direction.
In a statement, Dolan said “While there may be an openness to respond to some of our concerns, we reserve judgment on the details until we have them.”
Birth control advocates were generally supportive.
"99 percent of American women take birth control, and this is basic health care for most women," said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
But Jon O’Brien, president of Catholics for Choice, sees the White House as being forced to concede to a church that by his reckoning wields disproportionate power.
"Everybody knows that the Catholic Church is compromised of 350 U.S. bishops. They don't like contraception. We know that 98 percent of Catholic women in the United States use a method of contraception that catholic bishops don't like," said O’Brien.
Obama's policy has consequences when it comes to national politics, but as a matter of policy, it's largely moot in New York State.
Here, insurance companies were already required to provide contraceptives for a fee when employers declined to offer them.