Hobby Lobby

[southbymidwest]

Yes, Hobby Lobby might be only talking about certain types of BC, but if the SC rules in favor of them, what is to stop them from changing their policy to exclude BC because they can? Heck, Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in receiving blood transfusions-could a Jehovah's Witness business owner exclude covering blood transfusions?

I read an interesting comment elsewhere regarding Hobby Lobby- in essence the commenter said that she found it disturbing that Hobby Lobby buys products made in China-a country with government provided abortions, and heavily restricted religious freedoms. Sooooo... they really don't have a problem with religious freedom when it comes to their bottom line.

[33girl]

^^^On that tip, I honestly had never heard of Hobby Lobby until all this insurance kerfuffle. No publicity is bad publicity.

[PhoenixAzul]

Originally Posted by southbymidwest

Yes, Hobby Lobby might be only talking about certain types of BC, but if the SC rules in favor of them, what is to stop them from changing their policy to exclude BC because they can? Heck, Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in receiving blood transfusions-could a Jehovah's Witness business owner exclude covering blood transfusions?

I read an interesting comment elsewhere regarding Hobby Lobby- in essence the commenter said that she found it disturbing that Hobby Lobby buys products made in China-a country with government provided abortions, and heavily restricted religious freedoms. Sooooo... they really don't have a problem with religious freedom when it comes to their bottom line.

Boom.

Why not require male employees to be circumcised? Why not refuse coverage for vasectomies? Why not decide to stop paying for diabetes medication because you can totally pray that away...if you want it enough.

This who thing is beyond infuriating to me. Which set of religious rules are we going to follow? The CEO? The Board Pres? The store manager? The franchise owner? Which rules of the religion are we going to follow- because let's be real, it is next to impossible to follow each and every one?

And are we going to have to follow a new set of religious guidelines each and every time the religious figurehead changes? "Hey guys, I know we were following the Southern Baptist guidelines, but we've got a new CEO, so here's his new religious guidelines. So no more hormonal birth control, and no blood transfusions. Oh, and someone needs to scrub the bathroom."

What kind of notice will I be given as an applicant when I am job hunting?
"Hi Phoenix NewHire, just so you know, we're Pastafarians, so you can't have this procedure, this procedure, or that medication."

Signs on the door? Posters in the breakroom a'la federal employment law posters?

I don't normally go here on a public forum...but think about the traditional structure of a corporation. Who is at the top? Rich (typically white) men. To me, this feels like protecting privilege, and further subjugation of women, women who are mothers, and poor people. To me, it's perpetuating the "we're at the top, we know what's best, you are always going to be under us, so don't worry about a thing, we know best" *paternal head pat*.

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by PhoenixAzul

Why not refuse coverage for vasectomies?

The insurance I had for many years as an employee of a Catholic hospital didn't cover vasectomies, and the insurance I have now with my (secular, non-Catholic) company also does not cover vasectomies.

Originally Posted by PhoenixAzul

What kind of notice will I be given as an applicant when I am job hunting?
"Hi Phoenix NewHire, just so you know, we're Pastafarians, so you can't have this procedure, this procedure, or that medication."
.

I haven't heard of an employer/insurer saying the employee/insured can't have a procedure or medication. The issue is who will pay for it. There is a huge difference.

New hires should always be given information regarding company benefits, and that information should include notice of insurance limitations so that the applicant or new hire knows exactly what will be covered.

My son has terrible asthma, and also had a heart condition requiring open heart surgery when he was 3. Because of this, he can't use an Albuterol inhaler. Well, our insurance only covers Albuterol. So, his inhaler that he uses every single day twice a day to keep him alive is 100% out of pocket. I pay A LOT in premiums, and the regular medications my family needs are not covered. Insurance has limitations, whether you work for Hobby Lobby or not.