FAITH BASED HOSPITALS MAY BE FORCED TO PAY FOR BIRTH CONTROL PROCEDURES

A DECISION BY THE OBAMA ADMINSTRATION THAT FORCES CHURCH AFFILIATED EMPLOYERS TO COVER BIRTH CONTROL ON THEIR HEALTH CARE PLANS HAS OUTRAGED RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THAT MEANS CHURCH AFFILIATED HOSPITALS SUCH AS SIOUX CITY'S MERCY MEDICAL CENTER WOULD BE FORCED TO PAY FOR INSURANCE THAT COVERS CONTRACEPTIVES AND STERILIZATION.

MERCY SPOKESMAN JIM WHARTON SAYS THE DECISION MAKES NO SENSE:

WHARTON SAYS ORGANIZATIONS THAT DON'T ABIDE BY THE NEW MANDATE RISK LOSING FEDERAL FUNDS:

THE NEW RULES WOULD TAKE EFFECT IN AUGUST OF2013. 

U.S. HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER IS ALREADY CALLING ON THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO RECONSIDER THE ORDER, CALLING IT A GOVERNMENT MANDATE THAT VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION.

THE OBAMA ADMINISRATION IS SAYING THEY WILL NOT BACK DOWN FROM THEIR DECISION ON THE MANDATE.