Augusta – The Supreme Court today dealt a blow to women’s ability to access contraceptives, when it ruled “closely held” corporations can refuse to cover birth control for their female employees. The Maine Choice Coalition called the ruling unprecedented and deeply troubling, but said Maine is not required to change state laws following the Court’s decision.
The cases in question are Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. and Conestoga Wood Specialties Corporation v. Burwell. They came about when the two companies challenged part of the Affordable Care Act requiring health insurance coverage for a host of women’s health issues, including all FDA-approved contraception. The companies argued that covering certain forms of birth control violated their religious beliefs. Separate federal appeals courts ruled against the companies, finding that corporations are not protected under the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Today, the Supreme Court overturned those rulings.
In 2014, the Maine Legislature rejected an attempt to allow employers to use their religion to discriminate. The Coalition said that while today’s decision challenged federal policy, it does not change state laws, and called on the Maine Legislature to continue its history of rejecting discrimination.
The following quotes can be attributed as noted:
Dr. Bets Brown, Public Policy Co-Chair, American Association of University Women (AAUW) of Maine:
“We are truly disappointed in today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. The decision will allow employers to impose their religious beliefs on employees, and employees’ use of contraception is none of their boss’ business. More women will now struggle to access reproductive health care.”
Alison Beyea, Executive Director, ACLU of Maine:
“The Constitution gives us all the right to our religious beliefs, but it does not give individuals the right to impose their beliefs on others. The Court got it wrong in ruling otherwise today.”
Ruth Lockhart, Executive Director, Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center:
“Maine has a long history of protecting the rights of women to make the decisions that are best for them, including using birth control so they can decide if and when they have children. We are confident the Maine Legislature and the people of Maine will continue to stand up for that freedom.”
Kate Brogan, Vice President of Public Affairs, Maine Family Planning:
“Although the Court gave bosses the right to take away women’s access to affordable birth control, we are confident most bosses will choose not to, and millions of women will still be able to access the care they need under the ACA.”
Eliza Townsend, Executive Director, Maine Women’s Lobby:
“The Supreme Court did the wrong thing today. A woman’s healthcare decisions should be made with her doctor, not her employer. This is a disappointing example of the importance of the courts in the lives of us all. Courts matter.”
Nicole Clegg, Vice President of Public Policy – Maine, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England:
"Birth control is important preventative health care for women and is used for a variety of health care including endometriosis, migraines, menstrual regulation, and family planning. That's why we will continue to work to make sure all women have access to affordable birth control without any barriers in their way."
Rev. Sue Gabrielson, Executive Director, Religious Coalition Against Discrimination:
“As diverse people of faith, we are glad to live in a country that protects religious freedom, but this Supreme Court case is not about that freedom. This case is about employers using their personal religious beliefs to interfere in a woman's personal healthcare decisions. We do not believe that religious freedom should ever be used to discriminate against others or break the law.”
