A Hopeful Sign from Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby joined 27 other private organizations and filed a lawsuit against the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury, and their Secretaries for the mandate to cover the morning after pill and other abortion inducing drugs.  They are represented by the Becket Fund for Religious liberty.

The owners of Hobby Lobby also own Mardel, a Christian book store.  The Green family and both of their chains are plaintiffs in the case.  This is the first non-religiously-affiliated company to sue - meaning they do not qualify for the extra year to comply.  Their insurance plans (they are self-insured) renew in January, so they have until then.

I just love seeing this great stand for what is right!

Common Arguments, Part 3

3. Coverage of Birth Control for Medical Reasons?

To me, the most logical point to begin with in a discussion on the HHS mandate is that birth control is not a medically necessary drug and should not be given free of cost.  If a woman wishes to use contraception, she is free to do so using her own money.  Why did the Department of Health and Human Services chose to mandate coverage for contraception and sterilization instead of, say, insulin, blood pressure regulators, vaccinations, antibiotics, seizure medication, etc.?

The only defense I hear justifying 'free birth control for all' in medically unnecessary situations is that 'everyone already uses it' or 'it's expensive, and we have a right to control our reproductive system.'  I understand that $30-60 per month adds up fast, but if it's so important to you, why can't you budget for that?  Then I've heard the response that when women are struggling to put food on the table for their families, they can't afford that monthly amount, and absolutely cannot afford another child.  My sister had a great suggestion - why doesn't the Department of HHS require insurance companies to give everyone $60 per month in cash or grocery vouchers so they can spend their own $60 on birth control?

Certainly, it is a greater health interest for our country to ensure that families have enough food to eat than to ensure that the women of this country to have free contraception.

It's also important to realize that most health insurance plans do cover contraception with a prescription, for a reduced cost to the patient.  Of course it's more expensive to buy it without insurance, but the ACA took care of that - now we all have insurance.  So no one is paying full price for birth control out of pocket, regardless of their employer.

This brings us to the third common argument supporting the mandate:  There are women who need (not want) hormonal birth control or sterilization for health reasons.

The "where are the women?" panel on religious freedom.

Watch this part until the panel answers...  So, they will cover birth control in these situations?  Some of their plans already do cover birth control completely for medical necessities?  The churches do care about women and all people?

All of them would provide the recommended preventative services (including birth control in cases of medical need) under their plan.

So where's the problem?