Pew Research Center for the People & the Press

Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

Public Divided Over Birth Control Insurance Mandate

Religious, Partisan and Gender Differences

February 14, 2012

About six-in-ten Americans heard about the controversy over a proposed federal rule that would require employers, including most religiously-affiliated institutions, to provide coverage for birth control as part of their health care plans. Those Americans aware of the issue are closely divided on whether such a rule should give an exemption to religious institutions if they object to providing contraceptive coverage because of their religious beliefs.

A national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, conducted Feb. 8-12, found that 48% of Americans support an exemption while 44% say religiously-affiliated institutions should be required to cover contraceptives like other employers.

The Obama administration announced Feb. 10 that it would modify the mandate in response to criticism that the rule would force religious organizations to violate their religious beliefs. The survey shows little difference in opinions among people interviewed before the administration's proposed modification on Feb. 10 and those interviewed afterwards.

Read the full report for more details on these findings:

• How different religious groups and the religiously unaffiliated viewed the issue
• Views of Catholics on contraceptive use
• Partisan and ideological divisions in opinions

The report also includes survey results on last week's federal court ruling declaring a California law banning same-sex marriage as unconstitutional.