Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell released the following statement following the Supreme Court’s ruling that the government can’t require “closely held” corporations with religious owners to provide contraception coverage to their employees:

“The Supreme Court’s decision to allow select corporations to withhold health care options to their female employees is a disappointing setback for women’s health in our country. This decision represents a broad and dangerous precedent and is a slippery slope that could allow corporations to cherry pick which laws to abide by now and in the future.

I fully believe that employers, insurers, and politicians have no place in a woman’s health care decisions. Make no mistake – the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive coverage requirement does not force a corporation to provide contraceptives or even encourage their use, but rather to simply provide their employees with health coverage so they can make their own health care decisions. Given that 90 percent of America’s businesses are ‘closely held,’ I am confident that millions of American women and their families will be immediately affected by the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the ACA’s contraceptive coverage requirement.

The federal government must take action immediately to ensure that all women have affordable access to comprehensive health care without interference from their employers. I will continue to fight on behalf of America’s women to ensure they have full access to the fundamental health care they need and deserve.” 

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