Today, the Supreme Court let stand a New York court ruling that upheld the 2002
Women's Health and Wellness Act which requires employers thatoffer prescription
drug benefits to also coverage contraception.
The bill, which passed both the Assembly and Senate with bi-partisan support and
was signed into law by Governor George Pataki, is common sense legislation that
ensures coverage of birth control, which is used by nearly all women. The bill also
covers other important women's health services such as mammography, cervical
cancer screenings and osteoporosis care.
NARAL Pro-Choice New York was the lead advocate on the bill.
Kelli Conlin, the organization's president said today:
"Again, the Court has shown that women have a right to access
reproductive health care services under their employer health plans. This
law ensures that women will be able to afford the vital care the need to
make healthy decisions.
We are vindicated that this Supreme Court, not always a friend to
women's health, allowed the lower Court ruling to stand which recognized
that no one is above the law, not even the Catholic Bishops. No employer
should be able to force their beliefs upon their employees, especially
given that 97% of Catholics report using birth control."
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