NCJW Applauds Obama Administration Decision to Ensure Expanded Contraceptive Coverage
January 20, 2012, Washington, DC — The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today applauded the decision by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius to ensure that all new insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) include contraceptive coverage without patient cost-sharing, except in very narrow circumstances. NCJW CEO Nancy K. Kaufman released the following statement:
“NCJW applauds the decision by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius to ensure inclusion of no-copay contraceptive coverage in every new insurance policy, except in very narrow circumstances. As a result, millions more women will gain access to this key preventive health benefit without jeopardizing their economic security.
“In recent weeks, the Secretary and President Obama were lobbied hard to allow a broadly defined array of religiously affiliated employers to refuse to provide contraceptive coverage to their employees – a proposal NCJW adamantly and actively opposed.
“While women and families working for strictly religious entities may, regrettably, still be denied this preventive coverage, the Obama Administration’s decision means that hospitals, universities, and other institutions affiliated with a particular faith group will not be allowed to deny their employees access to this critical preventive care. NCJW applauds the decision to respect the religious liberty of women – allowing them to make their own personal decisions about birth control rather than allowing their employers to decide for them.”
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Contact: Emily Alfano
202 296 2588 × 5; emily@ncjwdc.org