While huge hue and cry is still made over the issue of birth control at times, here comes an unwarranted move from the Obama administration which has now made free birth control measures mandatory under Catholic hospitals and other religious institutions. So far, such religious institutions were being kept away from the requirement of offering contraceptive benefits without charging anything, but this rule has changed the scenario.

However, such institutions have been given a year time to work on this. It has been known that the Roman Catholic bishops, and some other religious leaders have been pressing the government to exempt the religious institutions further, but the US President has put down the issue at rest. There is popular perception that this rule violates the religious liberty of Catholics, but this time a larger issue has been kept ahead of all.

This step has angered many, including Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York and President of the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, who were expecting the rule to give them another extension. “This is nothing less than a direct attack on religion and 1st Amendment rights”, said infuriated Sister Jane Marie Klein, the Chairperson of the board of Franciscan Alliance Inc., a system of 13 Catholic hospitals.

However, there are many like Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood, who have welcomed the move. The decision is being seen as a revolutionary change in the health care system. As of now, women have been paying $15 to $50 a month to get hold of affordable birth control measure, but now they would be given this waver which could change the life of millions of women in the time to come.

It is believed that the time had come that the old perception of keeping religious groups ahead of scientific belief is changed to make the world a better place to live in.