The University of Tampa’s Sykes Chapel was filled with students and professionals ready to discuss some of the issues pertaining to the rejection of contraceptive mandates for corporations.
The conversation occurred on Oct. 1 with guest speakers exploring the ruling of the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court case that happened earlier this year. The case challenged the requirement of companies providing contraceptive coverage to their female workers as most Americans are covered by employer-sponsored health insurance.
Marcus Arvan, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, began the conversation with the fundamental question, “Does the Affordable Care Act in its regulations or tasks ensure every woman gets contraceptives?”
Arvan gave the audience a brief about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) that was passed in 1933 by the US Congress. He explained that the act prevents restrictions caused by various laws based on “religious exercise.”
The Hobby Lobby arts and crafts company run by David Green, filed its lawsuit in 2012 after dropping its coverage to provide contraceptives Plan-B and Ella. The Hobby Lobby Company and Conestoga Wood Specialties emphasized on running their businesses based on Christian principles.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations controlled by religious families cannot be required to pay for contraception coverage for their female workers. The decision caused a major stir as the public were concerned that the decision violated the Affordable Care Act, a federal law, in the attempt of protecting religious freedom.
“This is my body, my autonomy, basically it should be my decision what choices I make and what actions I take,” said Mollie Hamel, a senior Government and World Affair student. “I believe the decision should be based on what options a woman and her doctor discuss, a doctor and patient decision, not a supreme court.”
Guest speaker William Myers, an assistant professor of Government World Affairs touched on the moral of the Hobby Lobby case with a main focus being on the theory of Kantianism which is based on treating people like humans rather than like objects.
“Pregnancy is not a disease, therefore the use of contraceptives is a deception. People now think pregnancy is to be stopped or that they have a choice to prevent life when it’s a blessing. It’s pure deception.”
“Prevention is a word used to avoid something that harms you negatively and pregnancy should not be viewed that way,” said Jake, a Christian health care provider in favor of the Hobby Lobby decision.
Sheneen Soares, a student Criminology student at the University of Tampa said, “ I think it is a good thing that Hobby Lobby won. People keep saying that they have no right to impose policies on their employees regarding their health care, but people simply need not to apply for a job at the establishment if their policies are deemed intrusive.”
Irene Sidede can be reached at irene.sidede@spartans.ut.edu