Anti-abortion-rights groups demand protections in CR bill

Opponents of abortion rights are rallying support for softening President Obama's birth-control mandate in a bill to fund the government.

The current continuing resolution, or CR, expires March 27. On Monday, a coalition of groups that oppose abortion called for a new CR that will allow certain non-religious groups not to cover the "morning after" pill in their health plans.

"There must be no religious 'test' by the government as to who, and what type of entities, are entitled to a conscience," said Susan B. Anthony (SBA) List President Marjorie Dannenfelser in a statement. "Congress must act immediately to ensure the right of citizens to be free from government compulsion of this most fundamental issue." 

The birth-control policy requires that most employers cover a full range of contraceptives in their employee health plans without cost-sharing. Churches and houses of worship are exempt, but the employees of religiously affiliated institutions will be able to procure birth control directly from their insurance companies without co-pays.

The mandate does not exempt employers who personally object to certain forms of birth control or organizations that disapprove of emergency contraception but are not explicitly religious.

The SBA List is one such group. It raises funds for candidates who oppose abortion rights and is spearheading the new online campaign, "Call 2 Conscience," which allows supporters to contact their members of Congress with notes supporting broader exemptions to the mandate.

The push involves 38 national, state and local organizations that oppose abortion rights.

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