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 That is the gist of a brief filed on Tuesday in the U.S. Court of
Appeals by the Justice Department.
Under President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law, known as
Obamacare, employers must provide health insurance policies that
cover preventive services for women, including contraception and
sterilization.
But the Supreme Court ruled early this month that Wheaton College, a
Christian institution in Illinois, can opt out of providing the
coverage on religious grounds by filling out a form claiming a
religious exemption.
However, Wheaton College argues that filling out the form violates
its religious briefs by granting its employees the right to use
birth control.
As a result, the Obama administration intends to augment its
regulations to provide an alternative way for such religious
organizations to provide notification while ensuring that enrollees
in plans of such organizations receive separate coverage of
contraceptive services.
The new rule is expected within a month.
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"This is part of ensuring that all women have access to
contraception coverage," said a senior Obama administration
official.
(Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Robert Birsel)
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