High Heels and Healthcare

I have no idea what they are protesting.

A lot of people and institutions are up in arms over a new Health & Human Services rule that will require some Catholic institutions, such as universities and hospitals, to cover employees' contraceptive costs. Some claim it is an attack on religious freedom, others an attack on women's rights.

There are a couple of things to consider here. Religious organizations are to some degree state/federally funded organizations. Their tax-exempt status means they receive services and benefits funded from taxes you and I pay. Just from that fact alone, they should be forced to follow government guidelines. The same logic would apply to drug testing politicians that want to drug test welfare recipients. I am okay with fair.

 Healthcare should not be used as a tool by any organization based on selected beliefs. Should PETA be allowed to have provisions in their healthcare that does not allow for certain coverages? Say for brain damage caused by having a giant bite from a 3 lb burger block your airway for a few minutes? Healthcare may not be a universal right (it should be but just trying to avoid that argument for now) but the coverage should be universal. 

Anyone with medical insurance can choose not to use contraceptives. That should be the decision of the insured and not controlled by the Church or any business for that matter. Healthcare should not be a cafeteria-like option where employers would dictate employee options. The options should be the same for everyone and everyone should get to make their own choices. A recent report (Guttmacher Institute) shows that only 2 percent of Catholic women, even those who regularly attend church, rely on natural family planning. So clearly the congregation is not in step with the Catholic hierarchy.

If the argument is based on the morality of funding something a person/organization would be morally opposed to, then what about any number of activities funded by our tax dollars like the Iraq War or Iran Contra affair or authorized interrogation practices that are illegal under U.S. and international law that many including myself strongly disagree with?
It is clear that the major religions are male dominated. There is a long history of ongoing female oppression. I for one would like to see what women would do if they held the power. What would the Catholic Church’s position be if not only did the pope wear a funny hat, but had a nice pair of heels to match?