Supreme Court to Consider Trump Policy Allowing Employers and Universities to Deny Birth Control Coverage to Employees and Students

Nine in 10 women will use birth control in their lifetimes 

WASHINGTON — Today, the Supreme Court announced it would consider the validity of the Trump-Pence administration's rules that allow employers and universities to refuse to provide insurance coverage for contraception to their employees or students. These rules are currently blocked by the courts. 

This is the first time the Supreme Court will consider the issue of contraceptive coverage since Trump-appointed justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh joined the Court. 

Statement from Jacqueline Ayers, Vice President, Government Relations & Public Policy, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“It is not just access to abortion that is at risk under this Supreme Court, it is access to all sexual and reproductive health care. It is deeply concerning that, in 2020, we are still debating whether people can access birth control – health care that nine in 10 women will use in our lifetimes. More than 62 million people have benefited from the Affordable Care Act’s birth control coverage. These rules are not about health care, they are an ideological attack on our health and rights led by the Trump-Pence administration and anti-reproductive health politicians across the country, and it’s alarming the Supreme Court has taken the case. Make no mistake, if the administration succeeds in denying access to basic health care, women and families will suffer as a result."

The Trump-Pence administration’s birth control rules allow employers, universities and any entity that provides health insurance to deny a person birth control coverage based on religious or moral objection. These harmful rules could have far-reaching implications for the Affordable Care Act’s requirement to guarantee birth control coverage, which has benefited more than 62 million women, including 17 million Latina women and 15 million Black women.

Data shows that an overwhelming majority of Americans believe women should have birth control coverage, regardless of their employer’s personal objections. The rule puts the Trump-Pence administration in direct opposition to the overwhelming majority of voters.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.