Boehnhead

WASHINGTON — On the defensive, the Obama administration Thursday scrambled to explain its requirement that church-affiliated employers cover birth control as House Speaker John Boehner called it unconstitutional and demanded immediate reconsideration.

Under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law, most employers and insurance plans will have to cover birth control free of charge as a preventive service for women. The administration already ruled that churches and houses of worship do not have to follow that requirement, but officials recently announced that many religious-affiliated institutions such as hospitals, colleges and charities must comply.

The wave of protest that followed has clearly taken administration officials by surprise. Catholics, Protestant evangelicals and others across the political spectrum criticized the decision.

"I think this mandate violates our Constitution," Boehner, R-Ohio, said Thursday. "I think it violates the rights of these religious organizations. And I would hope that the administration would back up and take another look at this." .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20120202/US.Birth.Control.Religious.Employers/