By HANA KIM
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - It's a mandate that has ignited a debate across the country and an uproar from conservatives and religious leaders.
President Obama's health care package is calling for employers to provide women with contraception at no cost.
Places of worship like churches and synagogues were always exempt from the mandate, but religious affiliated employers like hospitals, universities and non-profits are not.
After much backlash, President Obama announced Friday a change when it comes to religious affiliated employers.
"These employers will not have to pay for or provide contraceptive services but women who work at these institutions will have access to free contraceptive services just like the other women," said President Obama.
The change now means insurance companies will pay for contraception coverage directly instead of the religious affiliated employers.
The Catholic Diocese of Knoxville runs schools, a charity and even a hospital that are all impacted.
On Saturday 6 News sat down with Father David Boettner.
"In our situation we are actually self insured so we would still be required to pay for it directly under the change," said Boettner.
Boettner says the issue is not about money but about religious freedom.
"The money is not the issue at all, it really wouldn't be monetarily significant, the real issue is it's an overreach of the federal government. They are now trying to tell churches what they can and can't do in terms of their own moral teachings," said Boettner.
The Catholic Church believes contraception is immoral, but Crystal Parsons disagrees.
"I think it's a good idea that women have that choice to go ahead and get birth control," said Parsons.
The mother of two is applauding the president's efforts to give more women in the workplace universal access to contraception.
When it comes to church affiliated employers, she is siding with the Catholic Church.
"I don't think anyone can force them especially a church to give out birth control. That's not anybody's saying, that's the church. I think they should stick to what they believe in," said Parsons.
"Because the government is attacking religious freedom, my hope is that any religious organization would see this as a important issue to be involved in," said Boettner.
Most women will be able to get free contraceptives at no charge through their employer by next year.
The Catholic Diocese of Knoxville says the rule affecting church affiliated employers will not kick in for another year. In the meantime, they plan to fight to reverse the mandate.
