Contraceptives and the Law: A View From a Catholic Medical Institution

Zimmer et al talk about whether religious-based organizations be required to provide contraceptive coverage. The Obama administration and the Catholic Church are in conflict over the implementation of provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590) requiring that all US Food a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association 2013-05, Vol.309 (19), p.1999-2000
Main Authors: Zimmer, Eric A, Welie, Jos V. M, Rendell, Marc S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Birth control
Contraception - ethics
Contraception - utilization
Contraceptive Agents - administration & dosage
Female
Health Benefit Plans, Employee - ethics
Health Policy
Humans
Insurance Coverage - ethics
Insurance Coverage - legislation & jurisprudence
Insurance, Health - economics
Legislation
Mandatory Programs - ethics
Maternal & child health
Maternal Welfare
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Unplanned
Preventive Health Services - legislation & jurisprudence
Preventive Health Services - standards
Religion and Medicine
Reproductive sterilization
Schools, Medical
Unemployment
United States
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Summary:Zimmer et al talk about whether religious-based organizations be required to provide contraceptive coverage. The Obama administration and the Catholic Church are in conflict over the implementation of provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590) requiring that all US Food and Drug Administration--approved contraceptive agents, not including abortifacients but including so-called morning after pills and sterilization procedures, be offered free of charge by all institutional insurance health plans, with no exception for institutions having religious objections. The Catholic Church offers all of its programs to the general public irrespective of religious belief, but because the Church's health care ministry originates from its primary spiritual mission, the services provided must be consistent with Catholic ethical tenets. Proponents of birth control point to the risks to maternal health and child development of unrestrained reproduction, leading to increased maternal and infant mortality.
ISSN:0098-7484
1538-3598
DOI:10.1001/jama.2013.3730