WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a cosponsor of the Protect Women’s Health from Corporate Interference Act, expressed his frustration after the Senate was blocked through a procedural vote from considering this bill to restore women’s rights. A response to the recent Hobby Lobby decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, the bill would restore the contraceptive coverage requirement guaranteed by the Affordable Care Act and protect coverage of other health services from companies that want to deny benefits to their employees.

“We cannot allow partisan gridlock to jeopardize the health of millions of women across the country. Congress has an opportunity to restore the rights and protections taken away from American women by the Supreme Court. We have a responsibility to act,” said Senator Cardin. “Religious protections are meant for people and not corporations.  We should not be complicit in jeopardizing the health of American women while opening the door for private companies that are looking for a reason not to comply with the law.  The Affordable Care Act guarantees the majority of women coverage for comprehensive preventive health services, including contraception. Imposing additional financial burdens on a woman because the company she works for claims to hold certain beliefs contrary to the law sets a dangerous precedent.”

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