Obama tries to defuse contraception debate

Hoping to put an end to a debate he really did not need in a re-election year, President Obama reverses course on a mandate that would have required religious institutions to cover the cost of contraception for employees. NBC’s Kristen Welker reports.

>>> now to the compromised contraceptive mandate. it would allow people to get precontraceptives directly from health insurance companies but it seems the controversy is far from over. nbc's kristen welker has the latest.

>> reporter: under fire from catholic bishop republicans and some of his own parties president obama backed off.

>> the more cynical desire on the part of some to make this into a political football it became clear that spending months hammering out a solution was not going to be an option.

>> reporter: three weeks ago the administration announced that all religiously affiliated institutions would have to cover contraception at no cost to their employees. but now an about-face.

>> religious organizations won't have to pay for these services, and no religious institution will have to provide these services directly.

>> reporter: instead, the insurance companies providing coverage for those groups will be required to reach out to women directly and offer contraception coverage without charge. the administration officials maintain the insurance companies will ultimately save money through preventive care. some republicans say the president missed point.

>> this is not about cost. it's about faith principles that those institutions hold dear.

>> reporter: archbishop, timothy dolan one of the president's most outspoken critics this past week --

>> that ooh is a foul ball by any standard.

>> reporter: released a statement friday that read today's decision to revise how individuals obtain services that are morallyoable to religious end tees and people of first is a first step in the right direction. representatives of supporters say case closed.

>> women of all where they work.

>> reporter: many catholic women were also cheering the news.

>> it gives the women the right to the ability to get the contraception they need and it givens the churches the ability to continue with their strong beliefs.

>> reporter: republican candidates have been hammering the president on this issue for days, so now the obama campaign is preparing to deal with it all the way to november. for today, kristen welker, nbc news, the white house .