June 30,2014

Press Contact:

Ryan Carey (202) 224 4515 

Wyden Statement on Hobby Lobby Decision

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s Decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.:

“Today’s Supreme Court decision flies in the face of the ongoing effort to eliminate gender discrimination in the workplace. This is alarming news for women and working families in Oregon and across the country, especially since it could apply to the overwhelming majority of employees in the private sector.

“While this ruling is supposedly limited to contraception, it opens the door to roll back civil rights protections more broadly. Allowing corporations of any type to discriminate is a backward and regressive precedent.

“When it comes to personal health decisions, employers have no right to come between women and their doctors. Yet this ruling could deprive women and families nationwide of a basic form of prevention and make their care more costly. Insurance coverage must become more accessible and comprehensive – not less. All Americans, women and men, deserve a top-notch standard of coverage no matter where they live and who they work for.” 


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