NH Reacts to Supreme Court Hobby Lobby Ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that for-profit companies can claim a religious exemption from the Obamacare provision that they provide insurance coverage for contraceptive methods.

Gov. Maggie Hassan said she hopes employers continue to provide the coverage. She issued a statement in response to the Supreme Court opinion:

"Access to family planning services is critical for the health and economic security of women and families, as contraception costs are one of the biggest health care expenses for women and their families. While today’s Supreme Court decision is disappointing, I’m optimistic that employers will continue providing coverage for family planning services because it’s the right thing to do for workers, it will help businesses attract high-quality employees, and it will strengthen the economic security of working families."

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, issued the following statement:

"Women should be making decisions about their health care with their doctors, not their employers. Today’s Supreme Court decision unfortunately jeopardizes basic health care coverage and access to contraception for a countless number of women and I’m very disappointed by the ruling. Blocking access to contraception will have economic and public health consequences that our country cannot afford."

U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, released the following statement:

"Americans shouldn’t be forced to comply with government mandates that violate core principles of their faith. This case is fundamentally a matter of religious freedom, and this ruling affirms Americans' religious liberties as protected under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act."

U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-NH-01, issued this statement:

"The Supreme Court's decision today is incredibly disappointing. The debate over birth control was seemingly settled decades ago, and most companies and institutions had been offering birth control coverage as part of a health care package without controversy. This decision will only make some women's lives even more difficult, and leaves me wondering what's next from this activist Supreme Court."

U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, D-NH-02, was similarly critical of the court ruling. She Tweeted after the ruling that the Supreme Court's "Hobby Lobby decision puts bosses' religious beliefs before workers' access to healthcare."

Gary Lambert, a Republican running for New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District, issued the following statement:

"Today's ruling is a victory for religious freedom in America. The government should not force family-run businesses to violate their closely held religious beliefs. This case is just another example of government overreach by Washington politicians like Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Ann Kuster and I'm glad the Supreme Court stepped in to protect our fundamental right to religious freedom."

Marilinda Garcia, a Republican running for New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District, praised the decision. Her statement:

"I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to defend religious liberty and not force Americans to comply with government rule-making authority when doing so violates the First Amendment. Today’s ruling explicitly articulates that the Obama Administration cannot override religious freedom, and helps ensure that Americans can observe their faith without fear of government intrusion.

If honored with representing New Hampshire’s Second District in Congress, I will work to dismantle Obamacare so that New Hampshire citizens will be able to make healthcare decisions that are best for themselves, their families, and their businesses."

Andrew Hemingway, a Republican running for governor, praised the decision.

"This is not an issue of birth control, or health care, this is a matter of religious freedom," Hemingway said in a statement. "If someone truly does not believe in birth control, as one’s individual religious practice dictates, than how can the government possibly supersede that? The High Court today said it cannot and I am very pleased with its decision to put the Constitution before special interests."