On Thursday, several media reports used Obama campaign talking points
to downplay a new Romney campaign ad that accused the President of a
"war on religion" following the ObamaCare contraception mandate that
would force religious institutions to cover birth control in employee
health insurance plans.
Articles for The Washington Post, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal all touted the Obama White House reaching a supposed "compromise" with religious groups on the issue. The Post's Rachel Weiner explained [1]:
"In a compromise designed to quell criticism, church-affiliated
employers (such as universities) do not have to directly provide
contraception coverage....But that compromise did not satisfy Catholic
critics."
USA Today's Catalina Camia told readers [2]:
"The policy sparked outrage from some religious groups and Obama has
vowed to modify the rule so the burden shifts to health insurers." She
then cited Obama campaign spokeswoman Lis Smith claiming: "Churches are
completely exempt and religiously affiliated organizations that object
to providing the service will never have to pay for contraception."
The Journal's Alicia Mundy matter-of-factly stated [3]:
"The controversial provision caused a revolt this year among a number
of the Catholics who had supported the Obama bill, and was later
modified."
However, the Associated Press accurately noted [4]:
"Details have not been worked out. And not only the bishops, but
Catholic hospitals and some other religious leaders generally supportive
of Obama's policies are saying the compromise appears to be
unworkable."
All four reports failed to mention the fact that 43 Catholic institutions have filed suit [5] against the ObamaCare mandate.