Archdiocese Pays for Health Plan That Covers Birth Control

The New York Times ^ | 5/26/13 | Sharon Otterman

[marshmallow]

As the nation’s leading Roman Catholic bishop, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York has been spearheading the fight against a provision of the new health care law that requires employers, including some that are religiously affiliated, to cover birth control in employee health plans.

But even as Cardinal Dolan insists that requiring some religiously affiliated employers to pay for contraception services would be an unprecedented, and intolerable, government intrusion on religious liberty, the archdiocese he heads has quietly been paying for such coverage, albeit reluctantly and indirectly, for thousands of its unionized employees for over a decade.

The Archdiocese of New York has previously acknowledged that some local Catholic institutions offer health insurance plans that include contraceptive drugs to comply with state law; now, it is also acknowledging that the archdiocese’s own money is used to pay for a union health plan that covers contraception and even abortion for workers at its affiliated nursing homes and clinics.

“We provide the services under protest,” said Joseph Zwilling, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York.

As president of the United States Council of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Dolan has consistently rejected similar arm’s-length compromises offered by the Obama administration, which has agreed to exempt many religious institutions from the provision, but not religiously affiliated employers like schools and hospitals that employ people of many faiths and do not exist primarily to inculcate religious values.

[A.A. Cunningham]

More talking the talk but not walking the walk.

[bboop]

Ah, the New York Slimes. Ever digging up whatever bit of dirt they can against the Catholic Church. Thanks, NYT.

You cannot see any bit of EVIL coming out of the White House worthy of even one front-page article, but you can ferret out a putrid piece of insignificant data which Dolan has been furious about but has not yet figured a way out of - or maybe has prioritized and put at the bottom of the list. Very impressive journalism/ NOT.

[txrefugee]

Again undercutting the church’s argument against ObamaCare by their covert compliance for more than 10 years. Cardinal Dolan loves the camera. Perhaps he could call a presser to explain this obvious moral contradiction.

[impimp]

They are doing it “under protest”. Sounds like a Roman governor who lived about 2000 years ago.

[markomalley]

The standard response:

Now, more than ever, we need to call to mind the words of Archbishop Charles Chaput:

We make a very serious mistake if we rely on media like the New York Times, Newsweek, CNN, or MSNBC for reliable news about religion. These news media simply don’t provide trustworthy information about religious faith—and sometimes they can’t provide it, either because of limited resources or because of their own editorial prejudices. These are secular operations focused on making a profit. They have very little sympathy for the Catholic faith, and quite a lot of aggressive skepticism toward any religious community that claims to preach and teach God’s truth.

Things of the Church reported in the secular media, particularly about the Holy Father, need to be viewed with the most jaundiced eye.

Having said that, knowing His Eminence Dolan, this kind of thing would not surprise me in the least bit.

[redgolum]

Honestly, I am not surprised about this.

In many health plans, it is base coverage. There are plans that don’t have it, but you need to find them.
Of course, it is rather odd to complain about the mandate when you have been doing the same thing for over ten years.

[markomalley]

Of course, it is rather odd to complain about the mandate when you have been doing the same thing for over ten years.

Dolan could, theoretically, say "I didn't know."

SEIU provided the coverage...paid for entirely by the Archdiocese...but they might not have looked into specifics. Not good management, but I could buy that.

However, as of today, he knows.

I would bet that he could find enough nursing home beds elsewhere at Catholic nursing homes, where he could place each and every one of the residents at Archny homes.

The only thing he can do, while keeping what little credibility he has, is to play hardball with SEIU: "The coverage stops today...or the nursing homes close and you're out of a job."

You and I both know, he won't do that.

[The Great RJ]

"...the archdiocese’s own money is used to pay for a union health plan that covers contraception and even abortion.."

Like Judas betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

[Alex Murphy]

...even as Cardinal Dolan insists that requiring some religiously affiliated employers to pay for contraception services would be an unprecedented, and intolerable, government intrusion on religious liberty, the archdiocese he heads has quietly been paying for such coverage, albeit reluctantly and indirectly, for thousands of its unionized employees for over a decade.

The Archdiocese of New York has previously acknowledged that some local Catholic institutions offer health insurance plans that include contraceptive drugs to comply with state law; now, it is also acknowledging that the archdiocese’s own money is used to pay for a union health plan that covers contraception and even abortion for workers at its affiliated nursing homes and clinics. “We provide the services under protest,” said Joseph Zwilling, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York.

Irony ain't just the science of making shirts flat!

[Pollster1]

I would not read this as hypocrisy, since the Church is supporting what they know to be evil rather than speaking against something they willingly participate in. Rather, this is the classic Christian flaw. We know what we should do, but we fall short. I hope and pray that this disclosure will give the Church the courage to do what is right.

[Alex Murphy]

The only thing [Dolan] can do, while keeping what little credibility he has, is to play hardball with SEIU: "The coverage stops today...or the nursing homes close and you're out of a job." You and I both know, he won't do that.

Which is why I take issue with the claim that "Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York has been spearheading the fight..." That's one ineffective spear Catholics have there, if Dolan's the spearhead. You don't bring a Nerf spear to a knife fight.

[markomalley]

Which is why I take issue with the claim that "Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York has been spearheading the fight..." That's one ineffective spear Catholics have there, if Dolan's the spearhead. You don't bring a Nerf spear to a knife fight.

Alex, as little as you and I agree on most anything religious...on this point, I'm right there with you.

I had hopes about Dolan when he first moved to NY...

There is one positive thing I can still say about him. At least he isn't like his predecessor In Milwaukee.

 

 

 

 

I hope.

[Roccus]

Of course, it is rather odd to complain about the mandate when you have been doing the same thing for over ten years.

"People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent." Robert Zimmerman

[Salvation]

I agree. I don’t believe the Slimes. There has to be more to this story.

[Jeff Chandler]

I’m confused. The bishops want the government in control of health care. They’ve been pushing for government control of healthcare for decades. Now that the government is control of healthcare, they’re complaining?

[steve86]

In many health plans, it is base coverage. There are plans that don’t have it, but you need to find them.

I'm not sure if any plan is available in Washington State without it and now they are talking about mandatory abortion coverage. This is the kind of evil dilemma one faces as the nation turns away from God.

[Alex Murphy]

Alex, as little as you and I agree on most anything religious...on this point, I'm right there with you. I had hopes about Dolan when he first moved to NY...

There is one positive thing I can still say about him. At least he isn't like his predecessor In Milwaukee. I hope.

This thread brings to mind an earlier thread on this exact subject. Remember this from last January?

"I would be willing to go to jail in defense of religious liberty,” said Bishop Alexander Sample.... Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh also said he is willing to go to jail if need be....
-- from the thread Exclusive: U.S. bishops say they’re willing to ‘go to jail’ over HHS mandate

Dolan wasn't quoted in that article, and now we know why! Dolan, as head of the USCCB, is setting a different example.

...even as Cardinal Dolan insists that requiring some religiously affiliated employers to pay for contraception services would be an unprecedented, and intolerable, government intrusion on religious liberty, the archdiocese he heads has quietly been paying for such coverage, albeit reluctantly and indirectly, for thousands of its unionized employees for over a decade.

The Archdiocese of New York has previously acknowledged that some local Catholic institutions offer health insurance plans that include contraceptive drugs to comply with state law; now, it is also acknowledging that the archdiocese’s own money is used to pay for a union health plan that covers contraception and even abortion for workers at its affiliated nursing homes and clinics. “We provide the services under protest,” said Joseph Zwilling, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York.

[nickcarraway]

Sorry, but as much as I hate to say this, it makes Archbishop Dolan look like a liar and a fool. I can't see a way of justifying his behavior. Yeah, the New York Times is happy to report this, but Archbishop Dolan gave them the ammunition, and I can't blame them for reporting it. It's all on Archbishop Dolan.