Thursday, February 2, 2012

House Speaker John Boehner says the Obama administration should reconsider a decision to make church-affiliated employers cover birth control on their health care plans.

The Ohio Republican says the regulation amounts to a government mandate that violates the Constitution.

Last week's decision outraged religious groups.

President Barack Obama's landmark health care overhaul included the regulation but exempted churches. Last week, Health and Human
Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said nonprofit institutions,
such as church-affiliated hospitals, colleges and social service
agencies, will have to comply, though they will have an additional
year to do so.

Boehner told reporters Thursday he hopes the administration will "back up" and reconsider the decision.