A Catholic university in Florida is suing the federal government over President Barack Obama's controversial birth control coverage mandate.

Ave Maria University officials say the Obama administration's policy is unconstitutional, despite an alternative proposal by the president.

In an effort to compromise, Obama recently announced that religious institutions don't have to pay for their workers' birth control. Instead, their insurance companies would foot the bill.

Ave Maria president Jim Towy said the president's compromise is just smoke and mirrors.

"The idea that ... it's the insurance company that's providing it (free birth control) and not the employer, I think is nonsense," said Towy, who served as director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives under the Bush administration.

"We're footing the bill. There's no free lunch and there is no free birth control pills. Forcing us to do something against our faith is wrong," he added.

The Miami Herald reported that similar suits have been filed on behalf of Catholic and Protestant institutions, including Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina, Colorado Christian University, and Eternal Word Television Network.