FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 1, 2014
Sterling, VA – The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) strongly disagrees with the recent decision by the United States Supreme Court in the case of Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, which restricts employees’ rights to comprehensive medical care access. In a narrow 5–4 ruling, the justices determined that the Affordable Care Act’s mandate requiring employers to provide contraceptive coverage imposes an excessive burden on the religious beliefs of certain employers.
This mandate within the Affordable Care Act required employers to provide contraceptive coverage, but the Court decided that it posed an undue burden on the religious beliefs of specific employers. AMSA believes that healthcare is a human right, and this decision effectively enables employers to deny their employees coverage for certain types of medical care. Dr. Britani Kessler, AMSA’s national president, stated, “By denying women appropriate family planning coverage, this ruling will lead directly to negative health and economic outcomes for American families. AMSA maintains that restricting access to contraception prioritizes employers’ beliefs over women’s health, with damaging health and financial impacts on American families.”
Although narrowly decided at 5–4, this ruling in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby will negatively impact many people. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, more than 50 percent of Americans rely on employer-based health insurance. Allowing an employer’s religious beliefs to dictate employee healthcare coverage undermines fairness and denies essential medical services to employees.
While AMSA respects the religious freedoms of individuals, we strongly oppose policies that limit healthcare access based on the personal religious beliefs of corporate leaders. Employees’ rights to comprehensive medical coverage should not be restricted by their employers’ personal convictions.
AMSA firmly maintains that restricting women’s access to contraceptive care will have serious negative impacts, both medically and financially, on American families. AMSA will continue advocating for comprehensive healthcare coverage for all individuals, regardless of their employer’s beliefs.
About the American Medical Student Association
AMSA is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at www.amsa.org.