WASHINGTON (AP/WBOC) - President Barack Obama says a revamped birth control policy will both protect religious liberties and protect women's access to contraception.
Speaking at the White House, Obama announced changes to the policy that has generated criticism from religious groups and others who say it would force them to violate their faith.
Under the changes, religious employers will not have to cover birth control for their employees. Instead, the government will demand that insurance companies be directly responsible for providing free contraception.
Planned Parenthood of Delaware supported the initial rule.
"This decision is based on very sound medical policy and health policy," said Amelia Auner, vice president of public affairs. "It protects access to birth control for millions of women, including women who are employed by a religiously affiliated hospital or university."
The group's national headquarters released a statement Friday that appeared to show support for the compromise. The organization noted the deal allows women access to free birth control.
In January, Bishop W. Francis Malooly of Wilmington joined Catholic leaders from across the country issuing a letter in which he said the church would not comply with the mandate.
The initial rule included exemptions for religious institutions; Catholics said the exemptions were too strict to include any of their hospitals or universities.
"Our fundamental issue is not an issue of contraception. It's an issue of being able to make that choice for ourselves of whether or not we will be involved in the distribution of contraceptive materials to our employees," said Rev. David Kelley of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Bethany Beach.
Kelley joined priests across Delmarva in reading the bishop's letter to parishioners.
The federal government initially gave religious employers one year to comply with the mandate after they first voiced objections.
