Contraception

Floor Speech

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Ms. LEE of California. I want to thank the gentlelady for yielding and also for standing up for women's health, not only today and during these very difficult times, but each and every day of her life.

As a former devout practicing Catholic, I fully understand and respect the Church's doctrine on contraceptives. Even though I disagree with it, I fully respect it and I understand it. Also, I know that the separation of church and state is a fundamental principle that we must maintain.

Mr. Speaker, the administration's decision to provide choices to access quality, affordable health care, family planning services, including contraceptives, are vital for women's health and well-being. This is really not about a mandate. The rule would not force anyone with a religious objection to use or prescribe FDA-approved contraception. The fact is that Catholic bishops know that the 335,000 religious institutions and organizations and churches and places of worship are exempt. In fact, no woman will be required to use contraceptives or to even access contraceptives if she does not want to do that. This ruling is about women making their own decisions as to whether to use contraceptives or not. It's about access.

Religion must not force discrimination and discriminatory policies against, for example, an employee who works in the cafeteria of a hospital who chooses to plan her family. She should not be denied this coverage because of where she works. Low-income women finally--finally--will have equal access to contraceptive services if they choose.

So we want to make sure tonight that the facts are presented appropriately. Yes, we've witnessed this war against women systematically come against women's health for the last year now, and it's about time we start really being truthful to the public and get the facts out there and not allow the misinformation to really put women, once again, in a position of not having access to contraceptive care.

So I believe that this decision was right. I know that it allows for religious exemptions. And this rule should now allow for employees, for nurses, for health care workers to access contraception when they want to, and if they choose not to. They don't have to. But we should not allow discrimination to take place anymore.

I yield now to the gentlelady from California, Congresswoman Lois Capps.

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