"That the U.S. Congress would be so callous as to add this kind of provision - that affects only poor women in the most extreme circumstances - is outrageous," said Frances Kissling, president of Catholics for a Free Choice.

Kissling said she was heartened by developments in some states - such as a California Supreme Court ruling that Catholic Charities of Sacramento must provide birth control options in its employee health plan. "But for women in conservative states, that's no help," she said.

This article courtesy of the Associated Press.