The liberal media and so-called feminist organizations have been going great lengths to create the illusion that a “majority” of Americans in general are in favor of the contraception mandate within the Affordable Care Act (which the Supreme Court of the United States has recently taken up due to the problems it is causing for conscientious employers).
On the organizational front, this Facebook meme from Planned Parenthood states that “70% of voters support the birth control benefit.” The Washington Post stands as a typical example of the media types propelling this statistic, which actually cannot be backed up by any recent data. They said:
…based on the data we have seen, the public, for what it’s worth, doesn’t seem to think private companies should be exempted.
However, the most recent data — from both before and after the publication of that piece — demonstrates the exact opposite sentiment in public opinion. Both Rasmussen and Wilson Opinion Research have, in the last two weeks, released solid data showing that more than half are opposed to the contraceptive mandate. According to Rasmussen, which polled solely on contraceptives (and not drugs marketed as abortifacients):
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely U.S. Voters still believe businesses should be required by law to provide health insurance that covers all government-approved contraceptives for women without co-payments or other charges to the patient. Fifty-one percent (51%) disagree and say employers should not be required to provide health insurance with this type of coverage. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure.
This is a far cry from the narrative we’re hearing on the left, which insists on a daily basis that most Americans favor the contraceptive mandate. The Wilson Opinion poll, which targeted “likely voters,” concluded the following:
Nearly three out of five (59%) likely voters oppose the mandate requiring the coverage of preventive care services for women which includes all FDA approved contraceptives, including drugs that can destroy a human embryo, and sterilization services without a direct cost to the patient.
This data is uncomfortable for supporters of the contraceptive mandate in the mainstream media and organizations like Planned Parenthood, which profit greatly from increases in birth control availability. It appears that the two avenues the mainstream media and liberal organizations have chosen are to either ignore polls they don’t like and fail to report on them, or make up facts that they like better.
