Americans United for Separation of Church and State today praised the Obama administration for ruling that church-affiliated institutions must abide by provisions in the health care law and include free birth control for employees in insurance plans.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that religious groups will be given a one-year extension and after that will have to arrange for contraceptive coverage.

“Today’s announcement is good news for every American who wants to make private medical decisions free from interference by sectarian groups,” said Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “We’re thankful that President Obama stood with the American public instead of powerful religious lobbies that are bent on imposing their theology on everyone.”

In September, Americans United submitted comments on the matter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at the Department of Health and Human Services. In the comments, AU Legislative Director Maggie Garrett asserted that giving religious groups exemptions that are overly broad would restrict the rights of others.

“Expansion of the exemption,” observed Garrett, “would further increase the number of women who would be denied access to contraceptives and lessen any connection the exemption has to easing any potential religious burden. Accordingly, the administration should reject arguments urging expansion of this exemption."

Under the new rules, houses of worship will remain exempt from the requirement to cover birth control. The regulation will apply to church-affiliated entities such as colleges, hospitals and social service agencies.

Lynn noted that many couples rely on artificial forms of contraception, and this includes the vast majority of American Catholics. One study showed that 98 percent of sexually active Catholic women use artificial forms of birth control.

Observed Lynn, “It is remarkable to me that in 2012 we still have some religious groups trying to restrict access to medications that Americans rely on every day. The Obama administration rejected their overture today, and for that we’re grateful.”