Providing birth control coverage makes sense

Updated: March 24, 2012 8:03AM

I am confused why the Catholic Church has objected to providing healthcare coverage for birth control.

The law doesn’t say beneficiaries MUST USE that coverage, just that the coverage must be available for those that want to use it. Since many non-Catholics work at Catholic hospitals and even Catholic schools, this coverage would be a benefit to them. (Aside from the fact that most Catholics obviously use some type of birth control since family sizes in Catholic families, just as in non-Catholic families, are way down.)

There are many things covered by health insurance that are only used by a few people – think of preventive services for women, mental health, maternity. Providing coverage for birth control will reduce abortions and unwanted pregnancies. Isn’t that compatible with the Catholic Church’s stance?

Interesting that priests, who take a vow of chastity, are the ones objecting to this requirement!

Cathy O’Brien, Libertyville

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