Oral arguments in front of the U.S. Supreme Court cases began today brought by two for-profit corporations that claimed they have a right to deny their employees birth control under their health insurance plans. The companies are Hobby Lobby, a chain of arts and crafts stores with 21,000 employees, and Conestoga Wood Specialties, a cabinet manufacturer.
According to Planned Parenthood, what the Court decides could set a dangerous precedent for millions. This would allow businesses to deny their employees a whole host of other medical procedures to which they are legally entitled, based solely on their personal beliefs—procedures and treatments like vaccines, surgeries, blood transfusions, or mental health care.
CNN:
A key provision of the health care reform law championed by President Barack Obama came under harsh criticism from the conservative majority of the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
The justices debated a hotly contested issue testing the limits of government-mandated contraception coverage, specifically involving for-profit corporations that object to it for religious reasons.
The justices appeared divided along ideological lines in a 90-minute oral argument, with the federal government offering a spirited defense of the Affordable Care Act.
“How does a corporation exercise religion?” asked Justice Sonia Sotomayor, summarizing perhaps the key constitutional question at hand.
“This is a religious question,” said Justice Samuel Alito, suggesting the businesses have such a right. “You want us to provide a definitive secular answer.”
Before the hearing began, hundreds of demonstrators representing both sides of the issue rallied in front of the courthouse on Capitol Hill.
The court is reviewing provisions of the Affordable Care Act requiring for-profit employers of a certain size to offer insurance benefits for birth control and other reproductive health services without a co-pay.
At issue is whether certain companies can refuse to do so on the sincere claim it would violate their owners’ long-established personal beliefs.
Two separate appeals are being heard together.
The outcome was uncertain, but the court could cast preliminary votes later this week. A final written ruling is expected by late June.
The cases involve two appeals from Conestoga Wood Specialties. The companion legal challenge comes from Hobby Lobby, an Oklahoma-based arts and crafts retail giant. The Hahn family owns Conestoga and the Green family owns Hobby Lobby.
Both corporations emphasize their desire to operate in harmony with biblical principles while competing in a secular marketplace. That includes their leaders’ publicly stated opposition to abortion.
The cases present a complex mix of legal, regulatory, and constitutional concerns— over such hot-button issues as faith, abortion, corporate power, executive agency discretion, and congressional intent.
This article appears in Mar 27 – Apr 2, 2014.
Hobby Lobby treats their workforce like crap: promising seasonal workers full-time jobs and then keeping them temporary, reducing hours and paying less than advertised wages. I gues some people are so desparate to have ANY job that they sell themselves short.
With employers like Hobby Lobby and Wal-Mart; national unions start sounding like a good idea.
If Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties continue to insist they cannot be forced to pay for contraception coverage, will their religious principles cover the costs of pregnancy and childcare they’ve forced on their employees? Because their pay scale certainly doesn’t!
No one is forcing anyone to work for these places. If you don’t like their beliefs don’t go there.
Interesting, people actually ARE forced to work for some of these companies because they have already forced the mom & pop operations to close. As for providing health coverage to the PoCs {products of conception} who come to full term it is a matter of what the law requires.
And as this law goes it is interesting how the president can cherry pick parts of the law to be exempted until 2016 denying much needed health coverage to millions of people he promised this law. Now, not only has “If you like your insurance…..” has become a hollow slogan but the promise of healthcare for millions joins it.
No one is forcing Hobby Lobby or Conestoga Wood to hire people, either, Mr. Simpson-the real issue is a person shouldn’t be forced to cherry-pick employers on the basis of the medical coverage they provide. While I do not support the ACA, even I recognize the need for basic standards of coverage. If religious owners aren’t willing or prepared to provide it due to the dogma they subscribe to, they should close their businesses.
Pardon me, the last comment should have been directed to trainmanswife, not Harold Simpson.
The below was my reply to the E~mail version I received of the comment above:
“Today at 7:10 AM
So what you’re recommending is someone close a business thereby rendering the entire company but the owners unemployed? Right here in Tucson the cherry picking I’m speaking of is taking place because the business exemption of the ACA implementation has been extended into 2016. My main point is the president acts upon his own convenience to deny COMPLETE coverage to the millions of Americans he made promise after promise to have covered while pursuing companies which offer limited coverage. The business owner has the right to choose how he or she conducts business and who knows, you may get your wish and all these employees no longer will be.”
I am posting it here though the error by the writer was pointed out; I remain steadfast in my belief in the need for accountability and the transparency by this administration which was one of the hallmarks of the presidents original campaign.
And, the is only one “e” in argument.
As soon as coverage for Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and ED devices stops, coverage for contraception can stop. Fair is fair.
You mean you can get coverage for Viagra, Levitra…wow sign me up.
I think before we jump ahead of ourselves, let’s remember that the Hobby Lobby is opposing only 4 of 20 available birth control options. http://www.pressreader.com/profile/Media_Mentions/bookmarks/birth_control <- some interesting Hobby Lobby case observations from today
“How does a corporation exercise religion?” = ever lesser pay and rights for their employees to create greater profits for the top few IS the essence of corporate religion.
Finally, someone to put this into perspective for the rest of us.
I recommend nothing, Mr. Simpson-my point is that business owners should be the ones forced to make the choice, not their employees. If they find the moral costs of doing business in the US too onerous, they are perfectly free to relocate their business to another nation more suited to their philosophy. Uganda or Afghanistan come to mind…
“With employers like Hobby Lobby and Wal-Mart; national unions start sounding like a good idea.”
Interesting concept, I wonder if the corporations mentioned would be open to a petition drive? What would the NLRB say? See IWW.ORG