Thousands protest Obama's health care contraceptive mandate

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The second day of Supreme Court arguments on the federal health care reform law focused on a lynchpin of the legislation.
         
The individual mandate part of the law requires nearly every American to purchase health insurance.
         
Opponents say that mandate is unconstitutional.
          
Since Justice Kennedy did not signal support for the individual mandate court watchers are guessing the law now looks more likely to be declared unconstitutional.
    
The decision comes in a few months.
       
Meanwhile, the individual mandate the Supreme Court is hearing is only one part of the health care plan that is under fire.
    
The White House's plan mandates contraceptive services are made available to everyone, even through companies and hospitals whose religious beliefs oppose contraception and abortion.

A group of about 5,000 protested the federal healthcare plan's contraceptive mandate in front of the state capital in Jefferson City.

This happened on the same day Missouri Senators debated a bill that would make it so no business or insurance provider can force a person to buy insurance against their religious beliefs.
     
People loaded buses early Tuesday morning from Kansas City and across the state.
         
They said they were going to Jeff City to fight for religious liberty.
         
Earlier in the year, President Obama issued a mandate that would require religiously based hospitals, schools and charities to provide insurance to cover contraceptives and abortion which contradicts their religious beliefs.
        
Weeks later, Obama said he would allow religious employers not to offer contraception to employees free of charge but that insurance companies would still be forced to offer these services.
         
Tuesday, protesters called it only a first step not a solution.

Bill Francis with the Respect Life office of the Catholic Diocese said, "This is not a contraception issue at all it's a religious liberty issue. So we're here to show solidarity as people of faith, as Americans,  that this is an enfringement on our first amendment rights and to free expression of our faith."

However,  groups like Planned Parenthood said Tuesday, in their estimate, Catholic women use contraception and obtain abortions at the same rate as non Catholics.

They said the policy preserves access to contraceptives for women who want it.