Hobby Lobby

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Yeah. I think the most interesting hypo is that suddenly the entire Fortune 500 converts to the Church of Christian Science which believes that medical treatment goes against the word of God. I'll bet their health plans would be super cheap.

I hadn't thought of that. However, I had relatives who were Christian Scientists. They do have SC Practitioners, and therapy homes that can run into high figures. I have no idea what their beliefs about birth control or abortion are, though. My grandmother was so whacked out on CS, she denied ever having sex!

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by honeychile

My grandmother was so whacked out on CS, she denied ever having sex!

Well then, you're the offspring of an immaculate conception. How's bout that?

[southbymidwest]

Well, well, well...

According to Mother Jones/ Huffington Post, "Hobby Lobby's 401(k) employee retirement plan holds $73 million in mutual funds that invest in multiple pharmaceutical companies that produce emergency contraceptive pills, intrauterine devices, and abortion-inducing medications.

The companies Hobby Lobby invests in include Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, which makes the Plan B morning-after pill and ParaGard, a copper IUD, as well as Pfizer, the maker of the abortion-inducing drugs Cytotec and Prostin E2. Hobby Lobby's mutual funds also invest in two health insurance companies that cover surgical abortions, abortion drugs, and emergency contraception in their health care policies."

So let me see if i get this- Hobby Lobby invests in companies that manufacture emergency contraceptive pills, IUDs and abortion inducing medications, and it buys millions of dollars worth of goods from China, where the government sponsors abortions, birth control, and has issues with child labor practices, but hey, no IUD for you, Hobby Lobby Worker! Humphhh.

And yes, Hobby Lobby can make sure that their investments do not contain shares of stock from certain companies. It is not terribly unusual. That is not a valid excuse if they say, "oh gees, we didn't know that..."

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Well then, you're the offspring of an immaculate conception. How's bout that?

Not only that, but for some weird reason, my parents felt it necessary to tell me that I was conceived on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Thank heavens, I wasn't raised Catholic, as I think I would have had serious problems with that!

[DubaiSis]

Returning to the US is very hard for SO many reasons. And the fact that this is at issue at all is part of that.

[badgeguy]

Saw a funny picture today, but couldn't copy it here....it read:

"Hobby Lobby: you are not a doctor, you are not a church, you sell stencils!"

[ASTalumna06]

Hobby Lobby Ruling: Employers Don't Have to Cover Birth Control

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/...ontrol-n144321

[SydneyK]

Edited because I cross-posted with ASTalumna06 and her link is much better.

[DrPhil]

Based on things I've read on the Internet, this is a good time to remind people that the Supreme Court didn't rule that employers can forbid employees from using birth control. The ruling is that employers are not required to cover birth control under the company insurance.

Hobby Lobby was opposed to morning after pills, diaphragms, and IUDs. Does the Supreme Court ruling mean companies can choose whether and which birth control methods to cover?

It sucks and I hope people are familiar with Planned Parenthood.

This is part of the price people pay if they work for certain employers that pride themselves with being rooted in conservative religious ideals (regardless of the religion).

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Based on things I've read on the Internet, this is a good time to remind people that the Supreme Court didn't rule that employers can forbid employees from using birth control. The ruling is that employers are not required to cover birth control under the company insurance.

From what I've read, the ruling restricts only certain (post-fertilization) types of birth control - IUDs, morning after pill, etc... But that your run-of-the-mill birth control pill is still covered by the company's health insurance.

It'll be interesting to see what kind of implications this decision will have.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by SydneyK

From what I've read, the ruling restricts only certain (post-fertilization) types of birth control - IUDs, morning after pill, etc... But that your run-of-the-mill birth control pill is still covered by the company's health insurance.

It'll be interesting to see what kind of implications this decision will have.

Thanks. I think it should be all or nothing. Creating categories for birth control puts companies too much in employees' business.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Thanks. I think it should be all or nothing. Creating categories for birth control puts companies too much in employees' business.

I agree.

I'm a fan of ending the connection between employers and health insurance coverage. I don't have to get car insurance or homeowner's insurance through my employer - why is health insurance different?

[33girl]

Time to vote with your pocketbook. If you don't believe in HL's practices, don't just not go there...find out who their biggest suppliers are and don't buy from them anywhere. And make sure they know that's why you're making that decision.

[AOII Angel]

This ruling was also very narrow and stated that "closely held family businesses" couldn't be compelled to go against their religious beliefs. This doesn't open the floodgates for every company to refuse coverage for those forms of birth control. This is a disappointing but predictable outcome considering the makeup of the court.

[Low D Flat]

Does the Supreme Court ruling mean companies can choose whether and which birth control methods to cover?

Yes, it probably does, but whether the Supreme Court will explicitly extend the ruling to publicly held companies is a question for another day.