When It Comes To The Health Care Act, Those Using Religious Exemption Will Be Paying

Is every trigger point date going to be like this? Today, August 1^st, is the beginning of the women’s health mandate requiring employers to cover specific health issues through the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. It covers things like gestational diabetes and HIV screenings, breast-feeding supplies, family violence coverage, plus a few other things, most notably, FDA approved contraceptives. That is a good thing if you are part of a family of child-bearing age but aren’t ready to have a child.

So is this a problem? Evidently it is to the extent that it compares to the 9/11 disaster, at least according to Mike Kelly, congressman from Pennsylvania:

"I know in your mind, you can think of the times America was attacked," he said at a press conference on Capitol Hill. "One is Dec. 7, that's Pearl Harbor Day. The other is Sept. 11, and that's the day the terrorists attacked. I want you to remember Aug. 1, 2012, the attack on our religious freedom. That is a day that will live in infamy, along with those other dates."

Gee, Hurricane Katrina didn’t rate? Now, it isn’t necessary to re-hash old arguments on this topic whether the freedom of religion is being trounced by the mandate or even if it applies. I’m certainly not going to bring up that Rick Santorum spoke on this topic during his campaign by blaming contraception on our economic woes, something about contraception is the reason we don’t have enough working people to support Social Security. Oops! I said it. Sorry.

But I think there is a very lost argument on this issue. It has nothing to do freedoms and rights, which are notable and worthy items in this discourse. It has to do with how an organization will end up buying contraception aids whether they want to or not. In the end, they cannot avoid it. How can this be, you may ask. After all, religious organizations, such as Catholic-run hospitals are certainly not going to pay for it, right? You want to bet?

Allow me to present a totally fictitious conversation between a 25 year-old RN and the HR representative at a totally fictitious Catholic-run hospital.

“Well, Ms. Drizzle, we have all your information on your work history and training for the RN-2 position we have here at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart hospital and it appears you have exemplary qualifications. We would be happy to extend an offer to you at this time.”

“Thank you, Ms. Abernathy! This facility seems to be first-rate and the people are very friendly. It would be a pleasure to work here.”

“I don’t mind telling you that finding good available talent is a chore in the medical field. Nurses are in high demand. For your particular grade, we could start you at $78,000 a year.”

“That sounds fair, Ms. Abernathy. How about some of the fringe benefits such as vacation time, savings plans, and health plans?”

“Well, Ms. Drizzle”, said Ms. Abernathy beaming, “we have one of the most competitive plans available in the area. Standard vacation time is accrued at a rate of five weeks a year and our 401k plan matches right away up to 5%.”

“That sounds very good! And the health plan covers everything?”

Ms. Abernathy draws a slight frown and says, “Of course, no plan offers complete coverage of everything. There are co-pays and the first $1000 is covered by 60%, but then everything after that is covered at 100%.”

Ms. Drizzle says brightly, “Oh, that is very reasonable. How about preventive and contraceptive costs, are they covered completely?”

Ms. Abernathy now has a disconcerting look on her face. “All preventive costs are paid for, but since we are a Catholic-run hospital, we don’t believe in paying towards your contraceptive needs. That would be against the Church’s beliefs. You would need to purchase that on your own.”

Now it is Ms. Drizzle’s turn to be concerned. “You know, I’m married, and right now we don’t want to start a family. If I pay for birth control pills outside a medical plan, it’s going to cost me $1000 or more. That is a big expense!”

Ms. Abernathy sympathetically nods, “I know. I wish there was something I could do about it. But you can set aside the money in an HSA so you don’t pay tax on it.”

“How about if I decide I don’t want children any longer? Does the health plan cover the cost?” asked Ms. Drizzle.

Ms. Abernathy solemnly shakes her head. “It’s against the Catholic doctrine to pay for a sterilization procedure.”

Ms. Drizzle begins to ponder. “You know, I got a real good offer from another hospital at a similar wage. I liked this one better because of the staff and facilities, but they were going to pay for all the health care you do and include contraception costs. I think I need to think about taking this position.”

“Maybe we can do something about it,” Ms. Abernathy replies. “With your qualifications, we can bump you to a RN-2 step 2 position which will bump your pay from $78,000 a year to $80,000 a year. That will cover any additional costs you feel that must come out of your pocket. Would that be acceptable?”

“I’m confused,” Ms. Drizzle says. “You won’t pay for my contraceptives through your medical plan that most certainly doesn’t cost the amount I would pay out of pocket, but you are will to increase my pay so I don’t have to eat the cost? Does this make sense?”

“Probably not,” says Ms. Abernathy slyly, “but as long as the Church doesn’t pay for your contraceptives, everything is fine! Besides, that’s what it takes to remain competitive.”

“If you say so!” says Ms. Drizzle.

Eventually, organizations that site religious reasons for not providing coverage on contraceptives will eventually need to compensate accordingly or face hiring only men or women not of child-bearing ages. At that point if becomes an issue that the left hand of the church doesn’t care what the right hand does.