Today, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed HB2625 on a vote of 36 ayes, 21 nays, 2 not voting, and 1 vacant. In January, 2012 the Obama Administration announced a new health care mandate which requires employers to pay for and provide not only birth control, but also sterilization surgeries and abortion-inducing drugs to girls and women of “reproductive capacity” age.
According to the legislation’s supporters, almost immediately, churches of all faiths across the nation joined in a public outcry against this intrusive government mandate. Opponents called it an unprecedented attack on the First Amendment, in that it will require employers like St. Vincent De Paul, as well as other faith-based schools and charities, to act in violation of their religious beliefs.
As amended, HB2625 allows religious-affiliated employers to opt out of the government mandate. The bill clarifies that employers are not authorized to obtain an employee’s protected health information and clearly prohibits employment discrimination according to both federal and state law.
Republicans say that HB2625 in no way limits women’s ability to access birth control in the state of Arizona. Prior to the implementation of the HHS mandate, women had unimpeded access to birth control and that will not change.
Representative Debbie Lesko (R-Dist 9), said she was “proud to stand with the millions of Americans of all faiths who object to the Obama administration’s HHS mandate that forces people to violate their deepest-held religious beliefs.” Dr. Matt Heinz according to the Yellow Sheet, that it was “clear from the debate in House caucus this week that Lesko’s intent is to restrict access to contraception and undermine the mandate Arizona instituted a decade ago.” The Yellow Sheet quoted Heinz, “This is the Legislature – a few – imposing their religious values on everybody in the state,” he said.
Rep. Katie Hobbs, D-Phoenix (District 15), and Arizona House Democrats urge Gov. Jan Brewer to veto a bill that limits women’s access to contraception and health care, invades privacy rights and jeopardizes their employment.
All Arizona House Democrats voted against HB 2625, arguing that the law would require women to “prove” that they aren’t using birth control as contraception and allows employers to fire women for using contraception.
From the House floor, Hobbs said the legislation violates women’s privacy rights and would limit family planning and health care choices for women across the state.
“This bill politicizes women’s health,” Hobbs said. “It’s another example of how Tea Party lawmakers are too extreme and focused on their rigid ideology, instead of working to create jobs and improve education.”
This bill was defeated in the Senate but brought back for reconsideration and passed last week. The bill now goes back to the Senate for a final vote and then to the governor’s desk.
“This bill is still intrusive, and I urge the governor to veto it,” Hobbs said.