FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 23, 2016
Contact: Audrey Sandusky, 202-293-3114 ext. 207
Contraceptive Coverage Must Be Protected
Statement from Clare Coleman, President & CEO of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA)
WASHINGTON, DC – ““Today the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Zubik v. Burwell, a challenge to the Obama administration’s accommodation for religiously affiliated nonprofit organizations that object to providing contraceptive coverage for their employees. A ruling in favor of the plaintiffs could have troubling repercussions on women’s access to care in this country.
“The Affordable Care Act's contraceptive coverage requirement was a historic achievement for women's health. Thanks to the law, millions have guaranteed access to preventive health benefits, including a full range of contraceptive methods. Yet some employers continue to work to prevent women from getting this care, even objecting to submitting a form that allows the employer to opt out of providing this coverage and notifies the insurer to provide the coverage instead. We must hold the line between religious accommodation and protecting the health and rights of those impacted by such accommodation.
“Some plaintiffs have asserted that federal programs, specifically the Title X family planning program, could fill the gap for women whose employers raise objections to the health care they are entitled to by law. The Title X family planning program has been woefully underfunded in recent years, so to suggest that the safety-net provider network can provide coverage is disingenuous. Title X was neither designed nor funded to absorb the unmet needs of higher-income, insured individuals, and it should not be conflated with private health insurance coverage.
“On behalf of the publicly funded family planning provider network, I urge the Supreme Court to uphold the contraceptive coverage protections under the law to ensure that women – not their employers – can make the family planning decisions that are best for themselves and loves ones.”
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NFPRHA is a membership organization representing providers and administrators committed to helping people get the family planning education and care they need to make the best choices for themselves and their loved ones. NFPRHA works to enhance the ability of thousands of nurse practitioners, doctors, and other health professionals to provide high-quality family planning care through training and advocacy. For more information, visit nationalfamilyplanning.org.