Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores Inc.
June thirtieth, 2014 - the Supreme Court ruled that family owned businesses [such as Hobby Lobby] are now allowed to refuse contraception coverage for employees due to religious violations. This was upheld in a five-to-four ruling due to the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). RFRA states that the government is not allowed to restrict religious practices and beliefs in any capacity. If the owning party of a [family owned] corporation has religious qualms with contraception coverage employees will no longer be aided in that regard.
“In these cases, the owners of three closely held for-profit corporations have sincere Christian beliefs that life begins at conception and that it would violate their religion to facilitate access to contraceptive drugs or devise that operate after that point” (Supreme Court of the United States, 2014).
To watch a short video on the recent decision follow the link:
• Liptak, Adam.
2014. “Supreme Court Rejects Contraceptives Mandates for Some Corporations”. June 30, 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/01/us/hobby-lobby-case-supreme-court-contraception.html?_r=0>
For a complete reading of the ruling go to:
•Supreme Court of the Unites States
Argued March 25, 2014 - Decided June 30, 2014. “Burwell, Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al. v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., et all”. No. 13-354. October Term, 2013. <http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/13pdf/13-354_olp1.pdf>
Taylor Pratt-Houle