Campaigning in Ohio on Tuesday, Newt Gingrich slammed his chief Republican opponent, criticizing former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney’s support for requiring Catholic organizations to provide contraceptive aids in some circumstances.
Speaking in Cincinnati, the Georgia Republican told supporters that President Obama has declared war on the Catholic Church.
“There’s been a lot of talk about the Obama administration’s attack on the Catholic church,” said Mr. Gingrich. “Well, the fact is, Governor Romney insisted that Catholic hospitals give out abortion pills, against their religious beliefs, when he was governor.”
Mr. Gingrich’s comment comes as Catholic leaders have expressed concerns with a provision included in President Barack Obama’s new heath care reform bill that will force Catholic schools, hospitals and charities to buy insurance covering birth control pills for workers.
In late 2005, Mr. Romney required all Massachusetts hospitals, including Catholic ones, to provide emergency contraception to rape victims. Some Catholics say the so-called morning-after pill is a form of abortion.
Mr. Gingrich’s attacks is the latest indication that health care reform will remain a central issue during the 2012 campaign. Republicans, including Mr. Romney, have increased their focus on Mr. Obama’s health care law, which remains a highly divisive issue since its passage in 2010.
