Tester, Walsh sponsor legislation to overturn Hobby Lobby decision and protect access to women’s health care

(U.S. SENATE) – Senators Jon Tester and John Walsh introduced the Protect Women’s Health from Corporate Interference Act to prevent employers from making healthcare decisions for their employees, overturning the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby ruling and ensuring that women are free to access private medical care.

“No boss should have a say in the healthcare employees receive,” Walsh said. “Every woman and family should have the right to make their own healthcare decisions, free from interference of their place of employment. This decision sets a dangerous precedent that puts freedom at risk.”

“Thanks to the Supreme Court, a nameless, faceless corporation can stand between a woman and her basic health care needs,” Tester said. “A woman’s health care decisions should be made in private in consultation with her doctor. This bill tells the Supreme Court that the American people stand with women and the individual freedoms every citizen should enjoy.”

Planned Parenthood of Montana and NARAL Pro Choice of Montana both praised Tester and Walsh’s leadership on the issue.

“Congress needs to protect women’s access to birth control,” said Martha Stahl, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana. “We will work vigorously to help pass this law and we applaud Senator Walsh and Senator Tester for their support for women’s health and their leadership on this issue.”

“NARAL Pro-Choice Montana is proud of Senator Walsh and Senator Tester’s courage in standing up for women’s access to essential healthcare and taking action to fix this devastating Supreme Court decision, said Maggie Moran, Executive Director of NARAL Pro Choice Montana.” Allowing bosses to come between patients and doctors is a dangerous move for women’s health and for our democracy. We need more proactive leaders, like Senator Walsh and Senator Tester, who put women and workers above corporate interests. They have shown great leadership in the area of women’s health and we are proud to stand beside them.”

This bill will ensure that employers cannot interfere in their employee’s decisions about contraception and other health services. The bill bans employers from refusing to cover any health coverage – including contraceptive coverage — guaranteed to their employees and dependents under federal law.