There is no mandate, however, to cover abortions.
Last Sunday, Catholic bishops in more than 140 dioceses issued statements denouncing the decision that were read at each weekend Mass.
The head of the Catholic Health Association, a hospital trade group that supported Obama's health care law, said she was "stunned" by the administration's decision.
"It's not the issue of contraception, but religious freedom," said Sister Carol Keehan. "It's not about preventing women from buying anything themselves, but telling the church what it has to buy, and the potential for that to go further."
An AP-GfK poll from December found that Catholics supported Obama by 49 percent to 45 percent in a matchup with Republican front runner Mitch Romney. But among Catholics who attend Mass weekly, Romney had the edge by 45 percent to 52 percent.
____
Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman, Rachel Zoll, Jennifer Agiesta and Erica Werner contributed to this report.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Reader Comments