U.S. Representative Dan Maffei joined fellow Pro-Choice Caucus members to introduce the Protect Women's Health from Corporate Interference Act of 2014, legislation in response to the Supreme Court's Burwell v. Hobby Lobby decision. This legislation would prohibit for-profit employers that maintain a group health plan for employees from using religious beliefs to deny employees coverage of contraception or any other vital health service required by federal law.
"It is deeply disturbing that the Supreme Court has given some for-profit corporations the right to deny their employees birth control coverage," said Rep. Maffei. "It's simple: a woman's boss should not have jurisdiction over her private health care decisions. This legislation will ensure that CEOs and employers at for-profit corporations aren't able to prevent women from access to critical preventative care simply because of their own personal religious objections. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to act quickly to pass this bill."
"This important legislation is an important first step in fixing the damage created by the Supreme Court's decision to allow for-profit corporations to deny their employees birth control coverage," said Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York CEO Karen Nelson. "The Hobby Lobby decision sets a dangerous precedent that could open the doors to widespread discrimination against female employees. Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York is committed to ensuring women have access to high-quality, affordable health care services, and we applaud Rep. Maffei for cosponsoring this legislation and for his strong support of a woman's right to make her own health care decisions."
The bill keeps in place the existing bipartisan exemption for religious employers, such as houses of worship, and religious non-profit organizations that do not wish to provide contraceptive coverage. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Mark Udall (D-CO).