The White House Friday proposed two rules in response to the Supreme Courts Hobby Lobby decision earlier this summer that will allow women to receive contraception coverage if an employer refuses to offer it for religious reasons.
The Department of Health and Human Services issued an
HHS and the Department of Labor will notify insurers and third-party administrators of enrollees in the plans of such employers to receive separate coverage for contraceptive services, with no additional cost to the enrollee or the employer. While the interim rule is open for public comment, it is immediately effective following its publication in the Federal Register.
A second proposed rule was issued for for-profit closely held companies, such as Hobby Lobby. Under the proposal, these companies may be exempt from the mandate if they meet certain criteria. The White House says it is seeking comment on how to define a closely held for-profit company and whether other steps might be appropriate to implement this policy.
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Women across the country deserve access to recommended preventive services that are important to their health, no matter where they work, says Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell. Todays announcement reinforces our commitment to providing women with access to coverage for contraception, while respecting religious considerations raised by nonprofit organizations and closely held for-profit companies.
In a 5-4 ruling on religious freedom, the Supreme Court on June 30 ruled that religious rights trumped the rights of its employees to receive full contraceptive coverage promised by mandates in President Barack Obamas Affordable Care Act. Since the ruling, a Senate bill has been introduced to overturn the decision, but was quickly blocked.
