This argument over Catholic-based companies and organizations not covering birth control as part of healthcare has been all over the news recently. And here’s the thing: religions should be allowed to do whatever they want, provided it doesn’t harm anyone else. Simple.
But these guys want to not cover a medication that, yes, stops people from getting pregnant, but it also has other medical benefits.
I get that they fundamentally disagree with the use of contraception (as a religious principle), and if you are Catholic and follow that, then you can make that employer extra happy by not buying it. Never mind that most Catholics these days use some form of birth control.
Where I think the problem lies is in their refusal to cover it for their own religious beliefs, when not only do their own followers use it, but there are in fact many non-Catholics who work for Catholic organizations.
In my own experience, I used to work for a Christian organization (not Catholic obviously, but there is a parallel). They had health insurance and it didn’t have any prejudices about medications or care. This is a good thing. Especially since I’m not Christian. If there had been limitations on the care I could receive medically because of their own religious convictions, I am not sure I would have continued to work there. Which would have been a shame because I had some great experiences and met great people.
Here is my take: If you want to not cover it, then you can only hire Catholics who agree to the same principles as you, and you need to disclose this to potential employees. If you are willing to hire anyone else, and are actively doing so currently, then I don’t think you get to bring religion to the conversation.
(cartoon credit to Mike Luckovich)
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