Ever since the Roe v Wade decision in 1973, abortion and the use of other contraceptives has been a much-debated topic in the United States. Legalizing abortion monumentally changed the country. Since then, the controversial topic has had determined opponents on both sides. 

    Now in the twenty-first century, the use of contraceptives has again risen to national attention. In 2010, the Obama administration introduced the Affordable Care Act. This bill, among other reforms, required insurance plans to provide contraceptives, including abortion-inducing drugs. 

    Although not the only religious institution against the act, the Roman Catholic Church spoke out against the bill and asked for a repeal. The Church complained the bill breaches the government's involvement in religion by requiring religiously affiliated institutions, such as hospitals, schools, and social services, to provide contraceptives. These contraceptives contradict the church's teaching on birth control.

    In a statement on Friday, February 11, President Obama amended the bill. Women who work in religiously affiliated organizations will still have access to contraceptives; however, the contraceptives will be obtained directly from their insurance companies.  

    While church officials are at the moment satisfied, most believe this is only the beginning. According to washingtonpost.com, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Timothy Michael Dolan released a statement describing the amendment as "a first step in the right direction." 

    Others are not so happy. For religious organizations that self-insure, the change to the rule means nothing. Their insurance, which they themselves supply, is still required to supply contraceptives to female employees. EWTN, a nationwide network of Catholic television and radio stations, has already filed a lawsuit challenging the rule.

    Almost immediately after the law was introduced in 2010, objections were raised. Officials inside the White House showed sympathy to religious organizations opposed to the bill, leading to turmoil in the Obama administration over what to do. By early February, Obama instructed his staff to fix the issue in the following week, leading to the February 11 statement.