NWLC Submits Brief in Eden Foods v. Sebelius, Supporting the Contraceptive Coverage Benefit

(Washington, D.C.) The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) submitted an amicus brief to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Eden Foods Inc. v. Sebelius. At the heart of the case is whether a for-profit company must comply with an important benefit in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that ensures women access to insurance coverage for birth control without any out-of-pocket costs.

Eden Foods is a Michigan-based corporation that manufactures and distributes organic foods. Its owner has petitioned the court for an exemption from the ACA’s contraceptive coverage benefit. The plaintiffs challenge regulations implemented by the Department of Health & Human Services on several grounds, including an alleged violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

NWLC’s brief underscores the compelling and vitally important interests the government has in including the contraceptive coverage benefit – namely, promoting public health and gender equality.

The following statement is from NWLC Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights Judy Waxman:

“This challenge must fail. There is no violation of religious freedom here because the regulations requiring contraceptive coverage do not substantially burden the plaintiffs’ exercise of religion. The owner of Eden Foods is free to exercise his religion as he sees fit, but cannot impose his beliefs on his employees. The Center’s brief focuses on the compelling governmental interests promoted by these regulations, including the need for contraceptive coverage to help women plan their pregnancies and protect their health and that of their children and to promote gender equality by giving women the ability to participate in society. The contraceptive coverage regulation is not only appropriate but also makes good sense because it ensures that birth control is available to more women with fewer obstacles.”

A wide range of national, state and regional organizations dedicated to ensuring women’s access to this critically important benefit have joined NWLC’S brief.

For more information, visit: http://www.nwlc.org/resource/nwlc-amicus-brief-supporting-contraceptive-coverage-benefit

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