Bill to Prevent Discrimination Against Women, Guarantee Affordable Access to Contraception Blocked by Republicans

Senate Republicans today filibustered the Protect Women's Health from Corporate Interference Act, co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, which would protect health care benefits guaranteed by law and prevent employers from interfering in personal health care decisions. The legislation came in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Inc. decision, which granted for-profit corporations the right to deny women insurance coverage for any form of contraception that their employer objects to.

"Employers shouldn't be able to dictate personal health care decisions about what's best for a woman and her family," said Stabenow. "Unfortunately, because of today's vote and the Supreme Court's stunning and misguided decision in the Hobby Lobby case, that's exactly what will now happen to women across Michigan and across our country. Women, many of whom are breadwinners for their families, should not be asked to pay more for their basic health care. I will keep fighting to make sure that everyone receives the comprehensive health care benefits that are guaranteed by law."

As a result of comprehensive preventive care guaranteed by the Affordable Care Act, 24 million more prescriptions for oral contraceptives were filled with no co-pay in 2013 than in 2012. In Michigan alone, 901,000 women have benefited from expanded access to preventive services like birth control.