Debate shifts on contraception rule

While congressional Republicans say the fight isn't over on the administration's birth control mandate, the measured support for President Obama's compromise from some Catholic groups and a few Republicans has tamped down the political furor.

Politico: Republicans Say It's Not Over On Contraception Rule
Buoyed by the support of the Catholic bishops, congressional Republicans say they're going all out against President Barack Obama's modified contraceptives policy, ensuring that the compromise hasn't ended the controversy over the health care reform rule after all. Senate Republicans say they want to force a vote on conscience legislation as soon as possible, and the House has already been drafting legislation in the Energy and Commerce Committee. "We to need to work out a strategy and that probably involves the House," Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), one of the Republicans' leaders on the issue, said Monday (Haberkorn and Nocera, 2/14).

The Associated Press: White House Attacks Contraception Bills
The White House says legislation in the Senate that would give employers broad leeway to restrict coverage for contraception is "dangerous and wrong." Press secretary Jay Carney took aim Monday at a bill by Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida -; a possible GOP vice presidential candidate -; and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia that would allow any employer to deny birth control coverage if it runs counter to their religious or moral beliefs (2/13).

The Hill: Debate Suddenly Shifts On Birth Control
The furor over President Obama's birth-control insurance mandate appears to have vaporized as quickly as it blew up. The White House faced just two questions on the issue at a briefing with reporters Monday, just days after the intense controversy threatened to swamp the president's reelection campaign. While the president's Friday "accommodation" did not win over the White House's most harsh critics, some Republicans and Catholic groups have offered measured support, including centrist Maine Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, suggesting Obama might have at least muddied the waters (Parnes and Baker, 2/13).

CNN: Pro-Choice Group Thanks Obama In New Ads
NARAL Pro-Choice America will air radio ads for the next week in support of the Obama administration's policy toward coverage for female contraception. The spot, which thanks President Barack Obama for guaranteeing insurance coverage for birth control, will air in Denver, Colorado, Orlando, Florida, Northern Virginia and Madison, Wisconsin, according to the group (2/13).

NPR: Why Catholic Groups' Health Plans Say No To Contraceptives, Yes To Viagra
If health insurance plans offered by Catholic-sponsored entities refuse to cover contraceptives for women because of the religion's moral teachings banning artificial birth control, do they cover Viagra for men? ... Procreation is something the Catholic church encourages. And Viagra and other erectile dysfunction drugs can be of help. ... Vasectomies, on the other hand, are banned by Catholic-sponsored health insurance (Rovner, 2/13).