EWTN sues Obama Administration

Birmingham-based EWTN is suing the Obama Administration over its proposed policy on birth control funding.  The new rules say all employers, even religious ones, must cover birth control and other contraceptives in their employee  healthcare plans. 

EWTN's CEO, Michael Warsaw, says the new policy is forcing his company to make a tough decision. They can either provide employees coverage for contraceptives, which goes against the Catholic faith, or don't offer employees health insurance at all. 

If they choose to go without, Warsaw says EWTN will be fined $600,000 the first year and that amount will increase each year after.

Warsaw says the lawsuit goes beyond protecting Catholics. "It's not just a Catholic issue," said Warsaw, "It impacts all of us who are part of the faith-based community."

Warsaw says the new mandate violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments and he's ready to fight this battle so all Americans have the right to free speech and religion. But critics say everyone should have access to health care, including contraceptives.  "I take birth control and I'm Catholic," said Mary Katherine Brecken, "I think everybody should do what they feel they need to do."

"I don't think any larger group or any group that is in power should be able to impose any kind of guidelines or regulations.  I think it should be open to choice," said Jason Stathom.

But Warsaw says this lawsuit isn't about access to health care. "This is not an issue about contraceptives.  This is not an issue to healthcare services.  This is first and foremost about freedom of speech and freedom of religion. These are constitutional issue that the court needs to review," said Warsaw.

Warsaw doesn't know when the first court date will be, but he says it will go before U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn.

EWTN isn't the only one calling for the Obama Administration to change its stance. 

St. Vincent Health System is one of the larger health care providers in our area.  It's also part of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, which is working with the church and other organizations on this issue.

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