CARDINAL'S TRIP LANDS HIM IN HEALTH CARE DEBATE.(MAIN)

Byline: DEBORAH MARTINEZ Staff writer -

In his first visit to Albany as archbishop of New York, Cardinal Edward Egan found the Catholic church's broad-based agenda of social issues in the state overshadowed Tuesday by his stance against a women's health care bill that would cover birth control.

Women's rights activists and Protestant and Jewish leaders had already come out against the idea of a ``conscience clause'' that would exempt religious organizations from covering prescription contraceptives. But Egan stood firm in his support for the clause.

He declined to speculate what his position would be if the Senate and Assembly couldn't compromise on the issue, endangering the entire health care bill. He said he was confident it wouldn't come to that point and that it would be tragic if New York women lost the other coverage mandated in the bill, which includes cervical cancer and osteoporosis screenings, and breast exams for women over 40.

Although a …