DENVER — Colorado politicians have reacted to Monday’s ruling by the Supreme Court in the Hobby Lobby case in which closely held companies cannot be required to pay to cover some types of contraceptives for their employees.
Sen. Mark Udall
“A woman’s personal health decisions about choosing to use contraception and when to start a family should stay strictly between her and her doctor — not her boss. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision unacceptably takes these choices out of doctors’ offices and into the workplace. Our laws should empower Colorado women to make their own decisions based on their own beliefs, not the beliefs of the person signing their paycheck.
“Today’s decision also underscores why I have fought to confirm mainstream U.S. Supreme Court justices such as Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. I am committed to continuing to fight to ensure that the president fills any vacancies with justices whose judicial philosophy and approach to the law reflects Coloradans’ values of privacy, equality and access to opportunity.”
Rep. Cory Gardner
“The court made the right decision today to protect religious liberty and the First Amendment,” Cory said. “The Food and Drug Administration now needs to move quickly to make oral contraceptives available to adults without a prescription. This easy step will make oral contraceptives both accessible and affordable for every woman who wants them. It’s common sense and it’s the right thing to do.”
Sen. Michael Bennet
“The Supreme Court’s troubling decision now gives employers the ability to dictate even the most basic health care services for their employees. As a husband and father of three daughters, I know women should be empowered to make their own health care decisions based on what they believe is best for them or their family.”
Andrew Romanoff, running in the 6th Congressional District
“Five men made the wrong call for millions of women. Decisions about women’s health ought to be made not by the government — and not by their employers — but by women themselves. I reject the Supreme Court’s reasoning, and I’ll do everything I can in Congress to guarantee coverage for birth control and other basic health care services. Women should have the right to make their own choices, free from corporate pressure or political interference.”