Obama touts contraception policy amid post-debate focus on women

President Obama touted his administration's contraception mandate Wednesday as he sought to capitalize on Mitt Romney's "binders full of women" remark.

Democrats clearly saw Romney's remarks as a chance to re-open a dwindling gender gap. And while they aggressively attacked Romney over directly related issues such as equal pay, Obama also tied in contraception during a campaign stop in Iowa.

"I don't think your boss should control the healthcare you get," Obama said. "I don't think insurers should control the healthcare you get. I certainly don't think politicians should control the healthcare you get."

Obama frequently mentions his contraception policy on the stump. But his comments Wednesday came not only on the heels of the debate, but also a poll showing that his stance on birth control is a winning issue with female voters.

A USA Today-Gallup poll earlier this week showed Obama and Romney tied among likely female voters — an enormous gain for Romney, and a finding that the Obama campaign has disputed. The same poll, though, also showed that despite attacks from the Catholic church, the administration's contraception policy is popular with women.

Thirty-one percent of female voters said birth control policy would be "extremely important" in influencing their vote. And Obama held a 21-point advantage on the issue.

The administration's policy requires most employers to cover birth control in their employees' health plans without charging a co-pay or deductible. Churches and houses of worship are exempt.

Religious-affiliated institutions like Catholic hospitals do not have to directly offer or pay for contraception coverage; their employees will be able to obtain contraception through the insurance company, still without any cost-sharing.

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