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OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Catholic leaders seek to rally HHS mandate opponents
Controversy over the Obama administration's birth-control coverage mandate could see renewed attention in the coming weeks, as Catholic bishops prepare to launch a two-week campaign to motivate and unite those who oppose the policy. The so-called "Fortnight for Freedom" will begin Thursday, heralded by a nationwide ad against the mandate to air on Fox News. The Catholic Association, the lay group behind the ad, will also continue its campaign online. As of Tuesday afternoon, its Facebook page had more than 70,000 "likes," reflecting a recent spike in interest, according to the group.
As those efforts continue, advocates with Catholics for Choice noted that thousands have submitted comments to the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department in support of the mandate. The group filed its own 12-page statement on Tuesday, which cited a poll showing that a strong majority of Catholics believe private insurance plans should cover birth control. The comments also touched on an issue central to the debate — the difference in how supporters and objectors view moral choices.
"Religious freedom protections extend to one's personal religious beliefs and practices, but they do not give individuals or entire institutions license to obstruct or coerce the exercise of another's conscience," Catholics for Choice wrote to HHS. "Rather than prioritizing ... what institutions are granted exemptions, we ask that you prioritize the human impact of these exemptions and respect the consciences and religious freedom of all individual employees."
Catholics for Choice recently criticized the "Fortnight for Freedom"
effort as frivolous and unpopular after an assembly of U.S. bishops
championed the effort during an assembly in Atlanta. The group also
co-signed a letter with several other progressive Catholic groups that
chided the bishops for their dogged focus on the birth-control mandate.
"Our views on many important issues often diverge with the views of the
Catholic hierarchy in the United States," the letter read.
"Unfortunately, the bishops attempt to portray their views as
representative of ours in public discourse. ... They do not speak for us
each and every time they lobby elected officials or attempt to influence
public policy."
Costume store win: Planned Parenthood's political arm is sending a special surrogate out on the campaign trail to highlight the group's disagreements with Mitt Romney: a gigantic package of birth control. Dubbed "Pillamina" by the group, the costumed figure will follow the presumptive Republican nominee to draw attention to his objection to President Obama's birth-control coverage mandate. The effort highlights the breadth of Planned Parenthood's political action this election cycle, as women's health issues remain in the headlines and Democrats seek to solidify their lead among female voters. "Pillamina" is slated to appear in Troy, Mich., on Wednesday. Healthwatch has more.
Prescription drug agreement: A bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers reached an agreement on a final version of the must-pass Food and Drug Administration bill, setting up a vote on the House floor Wednesday. The bill would reauthorize the FDA's user fee programs and make several changes in agency policy, mostly designed to get innovative products to market more quickly while promoting patient safety. The bill would save $311 billion over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Healthwatch has more.
New numbers: Hey, did you hear that the healthcare law lets young people stay on their parents' health insurance plans until age 26? Well, the Health and Human Services Department trumpeted that policy once again Tuesday with a report that says 3.1 million young people are insured because of the provision. Republicans say the under-26 policy wouldn't be necessary if more young people could find jobs. Healthwatch has the story.
Wednesday's agenda
The Animal Health Institute holds a Capitol Hill briefing on veterinary issues.
State by state
California hospitals were paid twice for spinal surgeries.
Vermont might fare better than other states if the Supreme Court strikes down the healthcare reform law.
Prosecutors say a Miami man defrauded Medicare and sent the money to Cuba.
Lobbying registrations
Capitol Federal Strategies / Aspen Dental Management
Reading list
Hospitals will still be required to provide emergency-room coverage — paid for by taxpayers and the insured — if the Supreme Court strikes down the healthcare law, the Los Angeles Times notes.
The New York Times asks: What if the mandate doesn't matter?
Some changes will stay no matter how the Supreme Court rules, Kaiser Health News reports.
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