Emperor Obama has spoken.
(Fox News) — Despite renewed statements of concern by Catholic leaders and lawmakers, the Obama administration is done negotiating and will finalize its plan requiring insurance companies to provide free contraception to women working and studying at religious institutions, President Obama’s chief of staff said Sunday.
Jacob Lew told “Fox News Sunday” that the compromise offered last week to address objections by the Catholic Church is clear and consistent with the president’s “very deep belief that a woman has a right to all forms of preventive health care, including contraception.”
“We have set out our policy,” Lew said. “We are going to finalize it in the final rules, but I think what the president announced on Friday is a balanced approach that meets the concerns raised both in terms of access to health care and in terms of protecting religious liberties, and we think that’s the right approach.”
But Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the conversation isn’t over yet.
“If we end up having to try to overcome the president’s opposition by legislation, of course, I’d be happy to support it and intend to support it,” McConnell said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”