Mandates and Morals

Abstract

According to President Obama, preventive care saves and extends lives. As part of this preventive care, he is mandating that all women have free access to contraception, morning-after pills and sterilization. He claims that contraceptive services will reduce the risks of ovarian and other cancers, and asserts that this will lower the overall cost of health care. Contraceptives are Class I carcinogens, as noted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and increase the risk of stroke, thromboembolism, and heart disease. As Catholic physicians and health-care professionals, we need to help form people's consciences by informing them of the truth about contraceptives, morning-after pills, and sterilizations.