Xavier University decides to cut contraceptive coverage for employees

The Xavier University of Ohio will be making cuts to the insurance it offers employees in July of this year. The university, which is one of the oldest Catholic colleges in the country, will stop providing coverage for birth control, railing against rules imposed by the federal government requiring all faith-based organizations to provide such coverage to their employees. The university’s decision has struck a chord with the Obama administration, which is now accusing the college of standing in the way of a regulation that would be beneficial to women’s…

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Obama Administration works to accommodate Roman Catholic Church with mandated health insurance

The ongoing discussions between the Roman Catholic Church and the Obama Administration over the federally mandated health insurance coverage that includes services for family planning has lead to a compromise that is designed to take all priorities into account. Catholic Bishops have been speaking out against the model for employer-provided health insurance which requires them to cover birth control and other family planning care products and services which they feel are morally wrong. Equally, though, the government feels that it is equally reprehensible to allow an employer to make an…

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HHS rules that organizations with religious affiliations must provide coverage for contraceptives

The Obama administration recently introduced a new law that requires insurers to provide coverage for contraceptives. The plan has put many religious associations on edge as such coverage may run counter to their beliefs. This has led many of these associations to seek exemption from the rule. Such is the case with the University of Notre Dame, which petitioned the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to be discounted from the law. Late last week, the HHS ruled that all institutions with religious affiliations must adhere to the law.…

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Washington insurer facing fines after denying coverage for contraceptives for women

As the nation’s insurers begin to make the shift in covering birth control for women, some companies are falling behind. Washington’s Regence BlueShield, one of the state’s largest health insurance companies, is being fined by state insurance regulators for denying coverage to nearly 1,000 women. The company is now facing fines coming from the state’s Insurance Department. Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler was first made aware of the issue early this week when a consumer contacted his office to file a complaint. Regence BlueShield now faces a $100,000 fine for what…

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