Arguing With The Wind

In response to the continuing invented scandal that is the Affordable Care Act's covering of contraception, President Obama made a totally reasonable compromise to appease Catholic Bishops.  Women will still receive any contraception they desire free-of-charge, but the insurance companies will pay for it.

I'm still unclear whether this is a show of pragmatism or capitulation, but predictably, Catholic bishops are still angry about the decision.

To be clear: this kerfuffle at its root is about whether an employer can tell his secretary what birth control she is allowed to use. Regardless of whether the employee is an atheist, Jewish, or one of the 98% of Catholic women who use birth control.

Bills have been introduced in the House and Senate that would allow any employer (not just religious institutions) to claim that their personal beliefs prohibit the insurance his company buys from providing any service.  This creates precedent for companies to deny HPV vaccines, blood transfusions, HIV medication, or pretty much anything they so choose to their employees.

This was outrageous enough when it was just about denying women access to the care they deserve.  But now it's about undermining the entire Affordable Care Act.

An amazing Princess Bride Graphic explains it all after the jump.