Catholics Back Obama's Birth Control Mandate: Poll

Bishops and pundits have been blasting President Obama over his decision to require all employers—including Catholic institutions—to offer health insurance plans that cover birth control. Peggy Noonan even predicted it would cost Obama the election. But a new poll, conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute, shows that the public, including Catholics, largely approves of the move, USA Today reports. Overall, 55% of Americans agree that employers should be required to provide health care that covers contraception.

That number actually jumps to 58% among Catholics. The proposition was especially popular among women, with 62% supporting it, compared to 47% of men. A second poll released today by Public Policy Polling, and conducted on Planned Parenthood's behalf, found similar results: 53% of Catholics polled supported the move, including 62% of Catholic independents. (More birth control stories.)