Feb. 3, 2012
Stephanie Cutter
Deputy Campaign Manager, Obama for America
Last month, President Obama and his administration announced the simple decision to protect women's health by making sure all women have free access to contraception. There will be an exemption for churches who mainly employ and serve members of their own faith. But to make sure women of all faiths can get the care they need, other religious-based institutions that serve the general public will be included in this new law.

6 things every woman and person of faith should know about this decision:

#1 Contraception is important for women's health
Scientists and medical experts agree that contraception is important for women's health. The fundamental belief behind this decision is that women should have access to this care, without having to worry about cost.

#2 Churches are exempt from the new rules
Churches and other houses of worship will be exempt. Other religious organizations that serve women regardless of their faith, like hospitals and universities, will have one year to transition to the new rules.

#3 Individual religious beliefs will be protected
Just as no woman will be forced to buy or use contraception, these rules will also cover the "conscience clause," meaning no doctor will be forced to prescribe contraception.

#4 More than 75 percent of Catholic women are actually behind this
There's widespread support for covering birth control at no cost: 71 percent of Americans, and 77 percent of Catholic women, support it. And 98 percent of Catholic women have reported using contraception.

#5 This will reduce employer costs
The National Business Group found that employers would pay 15-17 percent more not to provide contraception coverage.

#6 The President stands with the faith-based community
These new rules are consistent with the President's commitment to religious liberty. The President is proud of his administration's partnerships and strong support of faith-based organizations.

Read more about the Affordable Care Act and President Obama's views on women's health



The New York Times Digest
January 30, 2012
Birth Control and Reproductive Rights
 It was good news that the Obama administration withstood pressure from Roman Catholic bishops and social conservatives to deny contraceptive coverage for millions of American women who work for religiously affiliated employers. Read more > TimesDigest_1_30_2012.pdf