David Green, the Chief Executive and the founder of Hobby Lobby Stores breathed a sigh of relief as the country’s supreme court decided to give the verdict in their favor in the 5-4 ruling. With this verdict, no family owned corporations will have to pay for the insurance amount when it comes to contraception under the Affordable Care Act. This ruling which came on Monday was eagerly awaited, but it was a closely contested one as huge protests broke out as the judges who were against the ruling feel that this verdict sets a very bad precedent as now any company owned by Christian families can challenge the law claiming violation of their religious beliefs.
Justice Samuel Alito tried to justify the decision taken by the majority emphasizing the limited scope of the ruling. He said that the law applied only to certain closely-held for-profit organizations which are run on religious principles. The contraceptive coverage requirement was questioned by two entities, Conestoga Wood Specialties and Hobby Lobby.
They felt that providing contraceptive coverage was against their religious beliefs. Justice Alito said that compelling companies to provide for contraceptive coverage would be a very significant burden on their religious beliefs, he also stated that it was the government’s duty to ensure that women have access to contraception, but we have to find ways to do that without hurting the religious sentiments of the company.
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Large group of women though gathered outside the Supreme Court protesting against the latest verdict. They have clearly rejected the judgment. The judges who were against the verdict questioned how can a for-profit organization have religious beliefs. Justice Ruth Ginsburg was in the forefront while attacking the majority opinion saying that soon it could hold for all corporations.
The owners of Hobby Lobby who are devout Christians were objecting only to four contraceptives, but the fairer sex clearly disagreed both in general as well as in the court.