Statement by Senator John McCain on Religious Freedom Legislation

Press Release

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today released the following statement on his vote against the Democrats' politically-motivated bill and his support for legislation to protect religious liberties while improving individuals' ability to make health care decisions for themselves by repealing a misguided Obamacare mandate:

"Today, I am proud to oppose a brazenly political attempt to undermine religious freedom through the misleadingly-named "Protect Women's Health from Corporate Interference Act,' a bill Senate Democrats introduced based on myths they have perpetuated about the Supreme Court's recent ruling in the Hobby Lobby case. In fact, this legislation represents a dangerous attempt to erode those religious freedoms that I, along with 96 of my colleagues, overwhelming voted to safeguard with the passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 1993. Further, I am pleased to co-sponsor the McConnell-Ayotte-Fischer bill, which is a common-sense way to protect religious liberties while also improving individuals' ability to make health care decisions for themselves by repealing a misguided Obamacare mandate. It is unfortunate that Democrats in Congress have decided to focus on patently false "messaging' legislation that is solely intended to score political points rather than tackle the real problems with Obamacare and the significant burdens it continues to place on individuals, employers, and the nation's economy."

Summary of the McConnell-Ayotte-Fischer legislation, called the "Preserving Religious Freedom and a Woman's Access to Contraception Act," which is co-sponsored by Senator McCain:

Instead of restricting Americans' religious freedoms, Congress should preserve a woman's ability to make contraceptive decisions for herself.

Today, American women are seeing their health care choices narrow as the federal government imposes mandates and restrictions through Obamacare. Millions of Americans can no longer use their tax-preferred medical savings to purchase all the medications they use. Millions have lost the health insurance plans they had and liked before Obamacare. Millions have lost access to their preferred doctors who are not covered in their new health insurance plan networks.

The Preserving Religious Freedom and a Woman's Access to Contraception Act begins to restore choice and freedom to women's health care decisions from Obamacare's mandates and restrictions. It does this without sacrificing one freedom for another. The legislation would:

Clarify the Law

The legislation would reaffirm that the Supreme Court's decision in Hobby Lobby did nothing to change a woman's ability to access birth control and other contraception. If she chooses, a woman is free to purchase contraception regardless of the views of her employer.
Increase Access

The legislation includes a Sense of the Senate that the Food and Drug Administration should study whether contraceptives can be made available safely without a prescription to adults, ensuring a scientific evaluation of available evidence around the safety and efficacy of contraception.
Increase Affordability

The legislation repeals the Obamacare mandate which limits the use of Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts to medications that require a prescription, giving a woman more freedom to purchase the over-the-counter medication she needs.
The legislation lifts the $2,500 cap on Flexible Spending Accounts, providing a woman with more purchasing power for the health care needs of herself and her family.

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