WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), one of 19 senators who filed an amicus brief in support of the government’s position in the case of Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., released the following statement after the conclusion of oral arguments before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Whether or not a woman uses contraception should be a private decision not subject to a financial veto by her employer. The Affordable Care Act guarantees the majority of women coverage for comprehensive preventive health services, including contraception and contraceptive counseling. Imposing additional financial burdens on a woman because her employer holds certain beliefs contrary to the law would be harmful and set a dangerous precedent,” said Senator Cardin. “Exempting secular, for-profit corporations from the ACA’s contraceptive-coverage requirement is inconsistent with the plain language and legislative intent of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), and undermines the government’s compelling interest in providing women access to preventive health care under the ACA, including contraceptive coverage.”   

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