Thursday, November 1, 2012
OKLAHOMA CITY– OklahomaInsurance Commissioner John D. Doak has pledged his support for Oklahoma-based Hobby Lobby in its suit against a provision in the Affordable Care Act. The provision would require businesses to provide their employees with coverage for the morning-after pill and the week-after pill.
“My firm belief is that employers should not be required to provide coverage for items that they object to based on religious positions,” said Doak. “This is regardless of being a for-profit, secular corporation or being a privately-owned business or association.”
Hobby Lobby filed suit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in September because of the mandate to cover the “morning-after pill” and similar drugs and devices in companies’ health plans. Owners of the retail chain, including founder David Green, are asking U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton to rule against the government imposing these new health care rules.
“A one-size-fits-all big government policy creates more problems than it solves,” said Doak. “The mandates increase costs for employers, insurance companies and consumers. They also compromise religious freedoms. The federal government shouldn’t be interfering in the private lives of Americans. We should be reducing health care costs without compromising freedom.”
Commissioner Doak has been a fierce opponent of the Affordable Care Act in its entirety since its inception. The hearing for Hobby Lobby’s preliminary injunction request is set for today.
About the Oklahoma Insurance Department
The Oklahoma Insurance Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight of the insurance industry in the state.
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For more information contact:
Kelly Collins
(405) 522-0683
kelly.collins@oid.ok.gov