Schakowsky Statement on Amicus Brief regarding Contraceptive Services

Washington, D.C. (January 29, 2014)This week, Rep. Schakowsky joined 90 Democratic Members of the House of Representatives on an amicus brief clarifying Congressional intent that contraceptive services should be included as a benefit. The Supreme Court is considering two cases, Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. v. Sebelius and Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp. v. Sebelius, which will determine whether private employers can deny access to contraception services to their employees under the Affordable Care Act. (Plans provided by churches and other houses of worship are exempt from that requirement under the law.)

“I trust a woman to make their own health care decisions and not her employer or politicians. The medical evidence is clear that access to contraception is an important to protecting women’s health – which is why it is included as an essential preventive benefit in the health care law.

This week, I joined with 90 of my Democratic colleagues in sending an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court. Our brief explains clearly that under the Affordable Care Act, we did not intend to base a female worker’s access to contraception on the views of her employer. We did not agree that the beliefs of a private business owner should trump the beliefs of the women who work for him. Under the Affordable Care Act, we meant that all women should have access to this important reproductive health service.

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