SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finalized a new rule that guarantees birth control for all women, no matter where they work. The rule is a response to the Hobby Lobby decision from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Under the finalized rule, employees working for employers with deeply held religious exemptions would still receive contraceptive coverage. The rule requires them to notify their insurance company or the federal government of their objections and then the insurance company would take responsibility for providing contraceptive coverage to female employees and their families.
This session, Rep. Erin Murphy introduced the Contraceptive Health Equity and Employee Rights (CHEER) Act to ensure Minnesota women have access to contraception coverage regardless of where they work. House Republicans blocked this legislation from moving forward.
Rep. Erin Murphy (DFL-Saint Paul) issued the following statement:
“Women hold the right to decide for themselves when and whether to use birth control, without interference from their employer. Unfortunately, this year House Republicans repeatedly stood in the way of protecting those rights, siding against Minnesota women and families across our state.
I am thankful the Obama Administration has taken this step and made women’s health a priority. This is an issue that affects women and their families, their health and their pocketbooks. Access to contraceptives should not be up to someone’s boss.
Although this rule is a welcome step forward, an administrative rule could be overturned by a future President. Minnesota women deserve to know that under our state laws their rights to control their own health care decisions are protected.
I will fight for the CHEER Act next session and hope we can move forward with this important legislation for Minnesota women and families.”
Rep. Murphy can be reached at (651) 296-8799 or by email at rep.erin.murphy@house.mn.
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