The US Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed that, as of 1 August, 2012, it will force employers who have more than 50 employees to pay for insurance coverage for contraceptives and embryocidal drugs and services even if they object to doing so for reasons of conscience. However, the rule will not be applied to non-profit institutions until August, 2013. [HHS news release]
The delay appears calculated to put off serious conflict with the Catholic Church and other religious denominations until after the presidential election in November.