Bishops: Obama Birth Control Compromise Is Dubious

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Roman Catholic bishops say the Obama administration’s promise to soften a birth control mandate is dubious.

Bishops say they’ll continue to fight for a broader religious exemption to the rule.

The policy announced in January requires nearly all employers to provide insurance coverage that includes free birth control for workers. Churches are exempt, but religious charities aren’t. Many religious groups protested, so President Barack Obama said insurance companies would pay for the coverage instead of religious employers.

Details of the compromise haven’t yet been worked out.

The bishops say a broader exemption is needed to protect religious freedom. They argue that birth control is “ubiquitous and inexpensive” so women can buy it on their own.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released the statement Wednesday after a meeting in Washington.