Biden on Birth Control Flap: 'We Can Work It Out'

The White House is apparently working to make sure its recent decision on birth control and the Catholic Church doesn't turn into a political disaster (as in this scenario). It could float a compromise on the health care rule as early as tomorrow, reports the Wall Street Journal. Joe Biden, meanwhile, said today that he understood the "frustration" of critics on the move to require most health insurance plans to cover contraception. "We can work it out," he said. "As a practicing Catholic, I am of the view that this can be worked out and should be worked out. I know the president feels the same way."

It's not clear what the compromise might be, given that the original decision by Health and Human Services did not exempt Catholic institutions such as hospitals or universities. But Biden said the administration wanted to "make sure women who need access to birth control are not denied that" while at the same time allowing the church "to be consistent with its teachings." ABC News has a backgrounder on the debate within the White House leading up to the decision. (More Joe Biden stories.)