This morning, via Twitter:
@RepHartzler Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Another attack by Obama Admin. on freedom-requiring Catholic Univ. & hospitals to pay for abortion drugs insurance. 2 hours ago
Really?
From the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration:
Women’s Preventive Services: Required Health Plan Coverage Guidelines
[….]
Contraceptive methods and counseling.
All Food and Drug Administration approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling for all women with reproductive capacity.
As prescribed.
[note]
Group health plans sponsored by certain religious employers, and group health insurance coverage in connection with such plans, are exempt from the requirement to cover contraceptive services. A religious employer is one that: (1) has the inculcation of religious values as its purpose; (2) primarily employs persons who share its religious tenets; (3) primarily serves persons who share its religious tenets; and (4) is a non-profit organization under Internal Revenue Code section 6033(a)(1) and section 6033(a)(3)(A)(i) or (iii). 45 C.F.R. §147.130(a)(1)(iv)(B). See the Federal Register Notice: Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Issuers Relating to Coverage of Preventive Services Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [pdf]
So, is Representative Hartzler (r) equating birth control with abortion? Just asking.
As far as implementation, from the Federal Register Notice:
….while the law requiring coverage of recommended women’s preventive health services was enacted on March 23, 2010, and has been in effect since September 23, 2010, no such guidelines have yet been issued, and it will be at least a full year after they are issued before group health plans and issuers will be required to start covering preventive services recommended in the guidelines without cost sharing….
It’s not exactly a crisis. You think someone just figured out they have a challenger in 2012?
Pandering to the base:
Uh, yep:
[underline emphasis added]