Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive coverage requirement for health insurance plans went into effect on January 1, 2013. On December 26, Justice Sonia Sotomayor refused a request from Hobby Lobby, a Catholic-owned arts and crafts company, to block the requirement from going into effect.  Justice Sotomayor said Hobby Lobby did not meet the high standard to receive an emergency injunction and can continue to challenge the requirement in federal court. Additionally, on December 21, a U.S. district court temporarily halted enforcement of a Missouri law that requires health insurance companies to issue policies without coverage for contraception if such services violate an employer’s moral or religious beliefs. The judge ruled that the Missouri law conflicts with federal law, which, under the Affordable Care Act, requires all new health insurance plans beginning January 1 to cover key women’s preventive care services, including contraception, without co-pays.

AAUW supports women’s right to access safe, affordable, and comprehensive contraception and reproductive health services regardless of where they work or learn.