This was the rallying cry after new interim final rules were released expanding ACA contraceptive coverage requirement exemptions. The new rules would allow any company to deny coverage for contraceptive services to its female employees based on religious grounds. Additionally, certain types of organizations would also be able to deny this coverage on moral grounds. Requiring coverage without cost-sharing has been an important provision of the ACA. NoHLA has worked with the insurers in our state to ensure that women purchasing Exchange coverage are able to access contraceptive methods of choice without cost-sharing. Our most recent progress report found progress on coverage and written materials, but lacking consistency and accuracy from customer service.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a lawsuit about the contraceptive coverage rule change, alleging that the new rules violate the U.S. Constitution, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Civil Rights Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.

As with all the proposed changes, the true impact will become clearer in the future. When asked by the Seattle Times for our view of this rule, we responded:

…“those beliefs [of employers] have no place in private decisions on women’s health care.”

• Janet Varon, Executive Director, Northwest Health Law Advocates