WASHINGTON – Despite efforts by some religious organizations to be exempt from its provisions, the Obama Administration announced Friday that employers must offer health benefits that provide coverage for contraceptive services without charging a co-pay, co-insurance or a deductible.
In issuing the final rule, however, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said that it would grant non-profit religious organizations an extra year – until Oct. 1, 2013 – to comply with the new law. All other employers must have insurance plans that include these services by Oct. 1 this year.
“This decision was made after very careful consideration, including the important concerns some have raised about religious liberty,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, in statement announcing the final rule. “I believe this proposal strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services.”
The rule still exempts churches and other employers whose main purpose is the practice of religion and whose employees are of the same faith. But religious