The new health care overhaul has a provision that could force insurers to cover prescription birth control, free of any co-payment or other "cost sharing" — raising strong objections from conservative and anti-abortion groups. At issue is whether birth control belongs among the free "preventative" services guaranteed in the law. Are anti-abortion groups justified in launching a fight to overturn the provision?
Bring it on: The "anti-abortion forces won the battle over their issue's treatment" in the health care law, says Matthew Yglesias at Think Progress. Well, free access to birth control "is the fight progressives have been wanting to have for some time now." It's overwhelmingly popular — unlike the mixed opinions on abortion — and this response simply highlights "the deeply reactionary and anti-woman ideology" of the anti-abortion movement.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.