Via Religion Clause, the White House has been negotiating with the Conference of Catholic Bishops, not over whether religious organizations are exempt from the contraception coverage mandate – they are exempt, pursuant to a compromise policy announced by the President last month. Negotiations now are over the definition of “religious organization.” Reuters has more:
The language at issue exempts religious institutions from the insurance mandate only if they primarily employ and serve people of their own faith – and only if their main purpose is to inculcate religious values. This definition covers most houses of worship but not the vast network of faith-based organizations serving a broad public, such as hospitals, colleges, orphanages and homeless shelters.
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“If this definition is allowed to stand,” the bishops said, “it will spread throughout federal law, weakening its healthy tradition of generous respect for religious freedom and diversity.”
