Release: Democratic Party of GA on Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby

Atlanta, GA – Today, the Supreme Court decided to take up Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby, a case that will decide whether corporations have the right to deny their employees coverage for medical treatments based on the owner’s personal beliefs.

Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, insurance companies are required to provide preventative care with no out-of-pocket cost to the insured.  In Georgia alone, an estimated 843,000 women will receive expanded preventative services coverage under the ACA, including critical annual exams, mammograms, cholesterol and blood pressure screening, STD screening, flu shots and more.

This past August, Governor Nathan Deal skirted the democratic process by having his allies at the Department of Community Health remove reproductive health coverage from 650,000 state employees’ insurance plans.  The move came after the Republican-led Georgia General Assembly rejected such a measure earlier in the year.

“A woman’s personal decision to use birth control should be made in consultation with her doctor — not her boss, nor a politician,” said Nikema Williams, Vice President of Public Policy for Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates.

“Birth control is basic health care.  Ninety-nine percent of American women between the ages of 15-44 who are sexually active will use birth control at some point in their lives,” continued Williams, who also serves as First Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia.  “The wide availability of birth control has been an enormous benefit for countless women and their families – enabling them to support themselves financially, complete their education, and grow their families when they’re ready.”

The Supreme Court will likely hear oral arguments on the case in March 2014.  A decision is expected in June.