Hobby Lobby Blog
Headline
news in a recent Wall Street Journal article detailed the Supreme Court’s
ruling that “closely held” companies can invoke religious objections to avoid
covering contraception in workers’ health plans. “Supreme Court Makes Religious
Exception to Health-Care Law”, Wall Street Journal, June 30, 2014. It
is considered one of the most important rulings on religion in years.
The case of
Hobby Lobby is the first to challenge President Barack Obama’s 2010 health law
that extends health care to women of childbearing age. The Affordable Care Act requires employers to
cover all forms of contraception approved by the government.
Hobby Lobby
is a for profit arts and crafts chain owned by an evangelical Christian family.
They objected to health coverage that included the morning after pill and
certain intrauterine devices because their belief is that it is a form of
abortion.
The ruling
by the Supreme Court in effect opens the door to individuals, nonprofits and
other companies seeking exemption from federal laws they believe is against
their faith. As it stands, there are a number of related cases in the lower
courts at this time.
There are
arguments on both sides of this fence. On one side there is concern that this
will jeopardize women’s health by denying them full medical benefits. There is
also concern of what other exemptions are going to be sought based on religious
beliefs. Other positions are not that people shouldn’t be able to have these,
but that they shouldn’t be forced to pay for it.
It is every
individuals right to have an opinion and approve or disapprove the use of certain
contraception’s based on their religious beliefs. I somewhat understand the
ruling on one level – If it is against your religion, how can the
government force you to pay for it. It has been suggested that there are other
ways that Congress could ensure that every woman has access to the specific
contraceptives that are at the center of this argument.
Interesting
case and the not the last we will be hearing about it and others that follow
from it.
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