The Black Women's Agenda, Inc. Addresses Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Supreme Court deliberates on arguments in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., The Black Women's Agenda, Inc. (BWA) urged the Court to uphold the vital interests of all women—particularly women of color—to have meaningful access to the contraception of their choice.  "Contraceptive use benefits women and their families by providing critical preventive care, advancing gender equality and avoiding costly, unintended pregnancies," said Gwainevere Hess, President, The Black Women's Agenda, Inc. "The Black Women's Agenda strongly supports the position that employers should not interfere with the rights of their employees to make the best health decisions for themselves and their families."

In a statement released today which strongly supported the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive mandate, BWA insisted "access to safe and affordable birth control provides women with important preventive care which allows them to live healthier, more productive lives.  According to the Institute of Medicine, 'Women with unintended pregnancies are more likely to receive delayed or no prenatal care and to smoke, consume alcohol, be depressed, and experience domestic violence during pregnancy. Unintended pregnancy also increases the risk of babies being born preterm or at a low birth weight, both of which raise their chances of health and developmental problems.'  Studies have shown that certain contraceptives also decrease the risk of certain cancers and help treat challenging health problems such as endometriosis. Providing no-cost or low-cost contraceptive coverage ensures that women, like men, can meet their basic preventive health care needs.   

"Maintaining affordable access to birth control also promotes greater social and economic opportunities for all women and reduces the public costs of unintended pregnancies. Women who have consistent access to contraception have the freedom to invest in higher education and a career with far less risk of unplanned pregnancies.  Our country spends billions of taxpayer dollars each year on costs associated with unintended pregnancies; contraceptive use substantially reduces this significant economic burden.  We know that when women have low or no-cost access to the birth control method of their choice, unintended pregnancies and rates of abortion sharply decline."

"Black women and all women of color have an important stake in ensuring that employers provide their employees with comprehensive insurance coverage that includes a range of contraceptive options," added Hess. "Black women, in particular, face higher rates of unplanned pregnancies, higher rates of poverty, and have lower wages—all of which make it critically important that they have access to contraception with no financial barrier.  The Black Women's Agenda strongly opposes any decision that takes away a woman's ability to make her own health care decisions, and places that decision in the hands of her employer.  We urge the Court to reject an employer's use of religion to discriminate against women as they struggle to maintain access to the contraceptive options that are best for their bodies, lives, and families." 

The Black Women's Agenda is a national non-profit organization that generates awareness and support for issues affecting Black women and their families. It is comprised of 19 collaborating women's organizations – sororities, civic, service, and faith-based – representing millions of women worldwide. Through the development of a social priorities agenda, BWA facilitates discussions that promote effective policies and meaningful change. For more information on The Black Women's Agenda, please visit www.bwa-inc.org. 

SOURCE The Black Women's Agenda, Inc.