Is free contraception a core constitutional issue?

I've seen a lot of letters and editorials that are just plain ignorantly wrong about the contraception issue.  Today's San Mateo Daily Journal had two.

In a letter, Jorg Aadahl writes that "religious zealots ... (want to) deny women access to contraceptives." as part of a "war on women".  In case you missed it, Jorg then repeats that they are "trying to deny others the right to plan for their own families" and that this is a "war on women's rights".

In an editorial, Michelle Durand writes that, under a potential President Santorum, aspirin would "be the only contraception available", and, repeating the "war" analogy, "reproductive rights are in the crosshairs" and decries "attacks on women’s rights"

Nobody is proposing to outlaw contraceptives!.  Catholic bishops, and their supporters, just don't want to be forced to pay to provide free coverage, on moral grounds.  Women will still be able to obtain contraceptives, just like most Catholic women do today.  The letter and editorial are pure political posturing.

I have to believe that these writers know this, but are harping on a political point.  Why not, Obama is using the issue to woo women voters.

For the record, I think the Catholic position on contraception is silly, and their justifications for it unconvincing.  But  that doesn't matter.  I don't get to decide which religious position is "right", nor does the US Government, unless it has a "compelling interest".  See also the RFRA, which applies to Federal laws.  It clarifies that "A compelling interest relates directly with core constitutional issues."  Now, I'm not on the Supreme Court, but it's hard to imagine that free contraception is a core constitutional issue.

For those on the left who are knowingly, unconstitutionally bashing religion to woo women voters, I say shame.  And for women voters who buy into their argument, shame on them too.