07.10.2014
Media

Press Release: No Excuse for Providing Basic Health Care Coverage

For Immediate Release: July 10, 2014
Contact:

Rachel Cooke // 202.419.3420 x45 rachel@advocatesforyouth.org

In the wake of the recent Supreme Court Hobby Lobby decision, we are pleased that Congress has quickly introduced the Protect Women’s Health from Corporate Interference Act, a bill that would restore coverage of birth control for women insured through their employers. The Act would prohibit for-profit employers from refusing to cover any health care services that are guaranteed to employees by federal law. It expressly states that other federal laws, like the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), do not excuse businesses from providing health care coverage.

While we applaud members of Congress for restoring the rights of employees that were wrongly taken away by the Supreme Court, we are disappointed that the Senate version of the bill expressly reaffirms that nonprofits with religious objections may still opt out of paying for birth control coverage. Congress must stop writing exemptions into our laws that give businesses, schools, and other organizations a free pass to discriminate.

“This incorporation of discrimination is a dangerous trend,” said Debra Hauser, president of Advocates for Youth. “Access to health care and contraceptive coverage is particularly vital to young women taking personal responsibility for their sexual health. This legislation addresses for-profit corporations denying women access to basic preventive services, but we need to continue our important work of ensuring that all young people have full access to health care, including contraception.”

###

Advocates for Youth is a national nonprofit that champions programs and advocates for policies that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health. Advocates’ Youth Activist Network stands 75,000 strong on 1,000 campuses and in tens of thousands of communities.