Contraceptive pills have raised a significant controversy amongst many Catholic colleges, and the debate has now heightened due to new guidelines from the Obama administration. According to an article published in The New York Times yesterday, a new healthcare law will require insurance plans at Catholic colleges to allow for birth control pills to be provided to female employees without any co-payments. However, enforcing this rule in the name of female health will in turn be viewed as a violation of religious freedom. Catholic institutions will no doubt be vehemently opposed to offering birth control with any co-payment. The Institute of Medicine, from which the current administration received advice, revealed that surprisingly half of American pregnancies are unplanned, and approximately four out of every ten are aborted. Where the issue may lie is when the prescription is refused all together, infringing on women’s freedom to control an important aspect of their lives.
It is understandable to be opposed to contraception as part of a belief system, so offering birth control completely free of charge may be a radical and oppressive jump for these institutions. Nevertheless, as the article details, one female student found out in the doctor’s office that her school refused to prescribe the pills due to religious beliefs. Many are referred to Planned Parenthood or other doctors to procure their desired prescription, but for others this isn’t financially feasible.
While the dispute over small pills may seem trivial, it has evolved into a debate of clashing ethics and values. There exists a fine line between promoting women’s health and violating religious beliefs that have been in existence for thousands of years. Clearly, if this law is enforced in its entirety, religious infringement will be cited heavily and many will be further disenchanted with American politics. One isn’t compelled to go to a college that does not promote free circulation of birth control; private institutions should not be forced to adopt policy they do not agree with. The issue that should be under dispute is institutions refusing to prescribe the contraception, for that does infringe on women’s rights.
The debate around the law will certainly take its place among the pressing issues that will be discussed through the upcoming months, especially since 2012 is an election year. Only time will tell how the candidates will address the debate, and ultimately which side will emerge victorious.
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