Obama contraceptive rule reverberates through health care marketplace

Before the federal rule was advanced, the policies put in place by various states allowed employers room to manuever, The Washington Post reports. Meanwhile, the insurance industry fears it may be left holding the bag for this requirement, and the New York Times explores the market share of Catholic hospitals.

The Washington Post: Different States' Contraceptive Rules Leave Employers Room To Maneuver
When California adopted a law in 1999 requiring health insurance plans to include birth control if they cover prescription drugs, Catholic Charities of Sacramento was determined to fight (Aizenman and Sun, 2/19).

The Hill: Insurance Industry Could Take Hit From Birth Control Mandate
The insurance industry is concerned it will take a hit from the Obama administration's mandate that they provide birth control in health plans for employees of religious organizations that object to the coverage. Publicly, the health insurance industry has avoided getting involved in the fight. But in private, the industry is dubious of the administration's argument that the insurance industry wouldn't take a hit because birth control is cheaper than unwanted pregnancies (Pecquet, 2/19).

The New York Times: Catholic Hospitals Expand, Religious Strings Attached
As Roman Catholic leaders and government officials clash over the proper role of religion and reproductive health, shifts in health care economics are magnifying the tension. Financially stronger Catholic-sponsored medical centers are increasingly joining with smaller secular hospitals, in some cases limiting access to treatments like contraception, abortion and sterilization (Abelson, 2/20).