Under health care reform, non-grandfathered health plans must cover women's preventive care services, including contraception, without charging a co-pay or deductible. This rule is effective as soon as August 2012 for some plans.
Churches, other houses of worship and similar organizations are exempt from covering contraception on the bais of their religious objections. However, this exemption does not cover other church-affiliated institutions, such as schools, charities, hospitals and universities.
On February 10, 2012, President Obama announced a proposal to address objections of non-exempt religious organizations. Under the proposal, the organization may choose whether or not to cover contraceptives. The insurance company providing coverage would be required to cover contraception if the religious organization chooses not to.
BACKGROUND
The health care reform law requires non-grandfathered health plans to cover preventive health services without imposing cost-sharing requirements, effective for plan years beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2010. In August 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued additional preventive care guidelines for women, including contraceptives, effective for plan years beginning on or after Aug. 1, 2012.
On Aug. 3, 2011, HHS issued an amendment to the women's preventive care guidelines to allow certain non-profit religious employers offering health coverage to decide whether or not to cover contraceptive services, consistent with their beliefs. A non-profit religious employer, for this purpose, is an employer that has the inculcation of religious values as its purpose, primarily employs persons who share its religious beliefs and primarily serves persons who share its religious beliefs. This exemption covers churches and similar organizations.
On Jan. 20, 2012, HHS announced a one-year delay to the contraceptive coverage requirement for non-profit employers that do not qualify for the exception and do not provide contraceptive coverage to employees based on religious beliefs. Church and religious leaders objected, arguing that the coverage requirement violates their organizations' religious freedoms and that the delay is not an adequate solution. According to the White House, the President's proposal is an attempt to balance religious liberty with the health of women.
WHITE HOUSE PROPOSAL
There will continue to be a one-year transition period for non-exempt religious organizations. During the transition period, a new regulation will be drafted. Under the new regulation, religious organizations, such as schools, charities, hospitals and universities, will not have to provide contraceptive coverage, refer their employees to organizations that provide contraception or subsidize the cost of contraception.
However, under the new regulation, female employees of these entities will receive free preventive care that includes contraceptive services. Specifically, contraception coverage will be offered to women by their employers' insurance companies directly, free of charge, with no role for religious employers that oppose contraception.
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