Opinion : Letter to the Editor - The so called “birth control – Pill” issue

 From the very earliest days of the Catholic Church and its doctrine we believe that life begins when the sperm and egg are united.  If the fertilized egg then does not attach to the uterus it then will die a natural death.  If on the other hand, it does attach to the womb as nature intends and if a normal gestation occurs a human child will be born at its time.  It is indeed troubling that rules of inheritance are established for this unborn, but a guarantee to life is not.  The Catholic Church has not and can not prohibit the use of birth control devices for the population as a whole.  But this argument is not really about birth control (as devices are readily available in any drug store) but about the Church’s aversion to abortion and related drugs that cause the abortion of a fetus and the fact that it will be required by law to provide same in its insurance at related or sponsored institutions.  The argument, although framed this way, is not about women’s health or the curtailing of such. No! No! It is about the fundamental belief that life once begun is sacred.  The concept of conscience is inviolate.  No health care professional should be required by law or mandate to do a procedure or offer drugs or devices that are against ones morals.  Many of these religious institutions are self insured.  So, just saying the insurance company's will pay for the pill or abortion or sterilization is in fact forcing the named institution to act against its fundamental beliefs, certainly against the provision of the First Amendment guaranteeing the free exercise of religion.

            A second thought:  My local pharmacy told me that a popular birth control pill (Tri Sprintec) will cost without insurance coverage $23.14 for a 28 day supply. Now then, what women employed can not afford 83 cents per day for this medication.  Very likely their cell phone or Internet or latte' is much more expensive.  Other news reports state that generics at Walmart could be as cheap as $9 per month.  Are the proponents of this mandate freeloaders and just demand that it be free? Most of us know that free things in life are not without cost whether they be material or behavioral. 

            This argument has been framed on “women’s health” it is not that at all.  There are other issues here, certainly first amendment rights apply to institutions as well as individuals.  If the Catholic Bishops stand up to this President and HHS as it should then the consequences will be on the President’s head; that will be that Catholic hospitals, Colleges or others that receive federal money will be forced to close.  Those that receive federal money would be student loans, Medicare/Medicaid patients payments.  No health care institution would be able to stay open if it could not be reimbursed for the Patients it is required by law to accept.  The exception, of course is the uninsured.   Mandated health requirements whether it be procedure, drugs, or what is included in a health insurance package is outside the purview of government and interferes with individual liberty and freedom.  I am the best person to determine the coverage I need and can afford.

            It is best to leave the Catholic Church alone and allow it to practice its own doctrine.  The Catholic Church is not without its sins, but neither is any other denomination for we are human and given free will.  We do seek forgiveness and with good intentions and intercessions of the Holy Spirit it is granted, or at least that is what I believe.  Some believe that the USA is the second chosen people because of our success and power – I am now beginning to wonder if this will continue, or if we have lost this intercession decades ago.

Regards,

John Stiegelmeyer