"What really breaks my heart is that there are real people that are affected by our decision,” said Chelsen in a recording of the discussion acquired by the Tribune. “But if we don't win this case, the implications down the road in terms of what the government will tell us what we can and cannot do will be potentially more significant."

While a provision in the law allows for groups opposed to birth control to opt out of providing the benefit if they allow the insurer to provide the coverage directly, Wheaton objected to a requirement that it notify the government of its objections. It should not have to apply to enter into another legal framework, the school argued. A lawyer for Wheaton told the Tribune that the college does not want any part of an insurance plan that would provide services it finds morally reprehensible.

Surveys have shown that most Americans support requiring insurance policies to cover the full cost of birth control.