Health, Abortion Issues Split Obama Administration and Catholic Groups

A contentious battle between Catholic groups and the Obama administration has flared in recent days, fueled by the new healthcare law and ongoing divisions over access to abortion and birth control.  The latest dispute centers on a decision by the Department of Health and Human Services in late September to end funding to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to help victims of human trafficking, or modern-day slavery. The church group had overseen nationwide services to victims since 2006 but was denied a new grant in favor of three other groups.  The bishops’ conference is threatening legal action and accusing the administration of anti-Catholic bias, which HHS officials deny.