Here’s an excerpt of the remarks President Barack Obama made about his administration’s attempt to resolve a fight over birth control coverage, according to a White House transcript:

“Whether you’re a teacher, or a small businesswoman, or a nurse, or a janitor, no woman’s health should depend on who she is or where she works or how much money she makes. Every woman should be in control of the decisions that affect her own health. Period. This basic principle is already the law in 28 states across the country. 

“Now, as we move to implement this rule, however, we’ve been mindful that there’s another principle at stake here — and that’s the principle of religious liberty, an inalienable right that is enshrined in our Constitution. As a citizen and as a Christian, I cherish this right.”

The new plan means that religious organizations will not be required to provide or pay for workers to get birth control. Instead, insurance companies will have to provide contraceptives directly to women whose employers state religious objections to doing so. 

Sen. Daniel Akaka said he supports the approach because “we cannot let politics get in the way of our sisters’, daughters’ and granddaughters’ access to healthcare.”  

“Religious freedom is deeply important to me and I thank the president for accommodating objections raised by religious groups,” Akaka said in an email sent to DC808. “However, this is an issue of access to fundamental preventative health care services.”

What’s your take? Is the Obama administration doing the right thing?