House panel opposes contraception mandate

BOISE (AP) — Idaho lawmakers are urging the federal government to back off a directive making contraception coverage mandatory by insurance companies, saying it violates moral and religious freedoms.

The House State Affairs Committee voted 11-3 Tuesday to pass a nonbinding resolution calling on President Barack Obama and Congress to reject the federal Health and Human Services rule requiring coverage of preventive services, including contraception and sterilization.

In Congress, Republican lawmakers unsuccessfully pushed for an amendment last month to allow for religious exemptions, but Idaho Republicans passed this symbolic measure to keep the issue alive.

Cottonwood Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll sponsored the measure and says leaders of many faiths have opposed the federal rule.

ACLU executive director Monica Hopkins spoke in opposition, saying allowing insurance companies to deny contraception amounts to sex discrimination.