To make a long story short, nothing has changed.

President Obama announced that his administration would implement a policy that "accommodates religious liberty," while protecting the health of women on Feb. 10. (See http://www.whitehouse.gov fact/sheet; click on FACT SHEET: Women's Preventive Services and Religious Institutions.)

According to religious leaders around the country, the so-called "accommodation" solves nothing. It does not provide for conscience protection and it does not assure that Catholic employers and institutions will not be participants in violating their consciences.

And it certainly does not protect the health of women.

What people really need to know as they go forth to read all the onslaught of articles about the Health and Human Services Mandates for Health Care is that this was, and still is, a religious liberty issue. That means that it violates the part of the First Amendment that assures the free exercise of religion. That does not mean you have to agree with religion, or anyone's lack thereof, you just have to let your fellow citizens believe what they want without interference. And no matter what your beliefs are about contraception, you better watch out. Let me say this again ... no matter what your beliefs are about contraception ... you better watch out.

And women, especially, better beware.

Personally, I am afraid of the government watching out for me as a woman. I have a concern that the government is watching me a little too closely. Apparently, my gender is costly — so much so, that the government is willing to protect us females from the awful affliction of motherhood. How kind of them. And if you think I am being ridiculous ... read the words of HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius from Jan. 20:

"Scientists have abundant evidence that birth control has significant health benefits for women and their families, it is documented to significantly reduce health costs, and is the most commonly used drug in America by young and middle-aged women. This rule will provide women with greater access to contraception by requiring coverage and by prohibiting cost sharing."

What's next? Will scientists bring the government "abundant evidence" showing that if a woman has too many maternity claims she should be mandated to stop reproducing? Will the insurance actuaries call Big Brother and ask for a mandatory restriction on maternity benefits because it will "significantly reduce health costs?"

If the government was really interested in the health of women, we would be able to get heart medications and cholesterol lowering drugs for free with no co-pay or deductible, since heart disease is now the number one killer of women. Providing these drugs will "help women get the high quality care they need to stay healthy" and provide the drugs for free and "help those who struggle to afford it." (Phrases in quotes are courtesy of Health and Human Services phrasing).

What about infertile women? What mandate do they get?

And what about men? Is their mandated care equivalent to what women are getting?

There is a lot to consider in this "Preventative Services Plan" proposed by our government. It was scary before and is even more so now.

I am all for affordable health care and doing something about it is long overdue. However, we cannot trample on the beliefs of Catholics, Protestants, the Jewish people, Muslims, Hindus, etc. That's not what our ancestors came here for. As American persons we need to take some personal responsibility for ourselves and we need to want that for every person.

I want the right to express and hold my beliefs and I want all men and women of faith or not, to have that right too.

Essentially, this mandate, complete with its murky, unsubstantiated "accommodation," will expunge that right. The solution is so simple ... allow right of conscience for legitimate religious employers and allow them to insure employees as they have to date. Maybe simplicity is the problem.

The First Amendment is pretty simple and it has no gender. It's for all people. And apparently our ancestors thought it was so important that they put it first. Catholic or not, contraceptive or not, all people would do well to help to keep the First Amendment first and intact.