Begich co-sponsors bill responding to Hobby Lobby decision

Sen. Mark Begich, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and the Coast Guard, speaks during the testimony of U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Robert J. Papp Jr., commandant of the Coast Guard, at a hearing in Washington, D.C, April 23, 2013. Papp discussed the Coast Guard fiscal year 2014 budget. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley)
(Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley)

Senator Mark Begich today joined other Democrats in sponsoring a bill that would make it illegal for a company to deny employees certain health benefits, including birth control, if they are required to be covered by federal health care law.

The bill is a response to the Supreme Court’s decision in the Hobby Lobby case, which says closely held companies can refuse to provide such benefits if the owners have religious objections. Sponsors are calling it the Protect Women’s Health from Corporate Interference Act.

It is unlikely to go anywhere in the Republican-controlled House, where conservatives praise the Hobby Lobby decision as a victory for religious liberty.

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