WASHINGTON – In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court sided with Hobby Lobby, Inc. and Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp. today in a major blow to reproductive rights for women across the nation.
“Today’s decision not only deprives women of comprehensive healthcare, but it sets a terrifying standard in affirming the “personhood” of corporations. “In siding with Hobby Lobby, the Supreme Court yet again affirms the personhood of corporations, giving closely-held (i.e. limited number of stockholders) corporations so-called religious liberty and taking religious freedom away from their employees at the expense of women’s health,” said Feminist Majority Foundation President Eleanor Smeal. “This sets a dangerous precedent for the future of religious liberty and women’s rights.”
A majority of Americans agree that women should have access to affordable birth control and support full coverage of birth control as a preventive service. “The Supreme Court ignored, not only public opinion, but individual rights of women to religious freedom,” Smeal continued.
Hobby Lobby, a for-profit national craft store chain, and Conestoga Wood, a wood cabinet manufacturer, challenged the benefit and sought to give religious freedom to corporations rather than give women the right to truly affordable and comprehensive health care. The Supreme Court case is the first for-profit challenge to the law to make it to the highest court.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
- At least 14% of all women using a contraceptive are doing so to treat painful conditions such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, severe cramps.
- Studies have shown that the pill reduces the incidence of ovarian and endometrial cancers.
- As many as 88% of American women who have ever had sexual intercourse have used some form of contraception.
The Feminist Majority Foundation has worked diligently for affordable contraceptive access for all women. This decision is a blow to women who work for corporations who claim to have religious views that trump the religious views of their employees. The Affordable Care Act still provides for the vast majority of women who have insurance coverage birth control access without co-pays or deductibles.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 30, 2014
Contact: J.T. Johnson, jjohnson@feminist.org
703-522-2214 (office), 703-522-2214 (cell)
