Rep. Pompeo Says Birth Control Mandate Is Unconstitutional

Thu, February 09, 2012

Click Image to Enlarge

KMUW / Briana O’Higgins

Congressman Mike Pompeo spoke out Thursday about a federal law that requires religious based institutions, like Catholic hospitals and universities, to provide their employees with free contraceptive coverage.

Representative Pompeo previously said the mandate could literally shut down every Catholic hospital.

“It is very clear that the regulations set out will require any health plan that they require for their employees to cover services and goods and products that are deeply at odds with the committment of the institutions that they are a part of,” says Pompeo. “Between one in five and one in six Americans are treated in hospitals that are part of religiously affiliated institutions.”

Pompeo says he cannot speak on direct impacts to area institutions, like Via Christi Hospital, but he believes the rule violates the first amendment of the Constitution by allowing the government to impede on the free exercise of religion.

The Obama administration said Wednesday they remain committed to the rule, but are open to talks.