Several institutions, including the craft store Hobby Lobby and Wheaton College

Question

Several institutions, including the craft store Hobby Lobby and Wheaton College in suburban Chicago,have opted to decline birth control coverage to their employees or students because birth control use violates the religious principles of the governing organization. In the case of Wheaton College, the college has decided to end all students health care coverage in order to avoid violating the regulation of the Affordable Care Act. In your opinion, are these institutions behaving ethically write a perspective essay of at least 800 words that outlines your opinion on the ethics of this controversy use at least 2 resources to support your positions

Explanation / Answer

With all media debate over Hobby Lobby refusing to furnish it employees with birth control is agreeable and disagreeable. The fact that they are using the religious belief violation could be arguable. The other fact is that some birth control options are very cost effective. It could be questioned that it is a violation of work ethics to enforce a religious value on employees. The so-called Hobby Lobby decision, named for the chain of craft stores that brought the case, has been both praised and condemned for expanding religious rights and constraining Obamacare.( NY TIMES 2015) This ruling made was clear that only four products that were provided violated their beliefs. Their employees are allowed to obtain these items however, the insurance that is provided will not cover the costs of those products. This ruling gives the employer a way to pick and choose what they want to provide in their coverage. In the case with Hobby Lobby, the cooperation doesn’t want to provide plans that cover certain types of birth control, although they will cover some preventive birth control measures. Those four types are Plan B (“The Morning after Pill”), Ella (a similar type of “emergency contraception”), Copper Intra-Uterine Device and the IUD with progestin. (No author, 2015) I can understand the reasoning behind this and I respect their right to do this.

            Under the new Affordable Care Act or Obamacare was designed to give the people of the United States health care options at prices that are reasonable and making it a law requiring everyone to purchase insurance. Unfortunately, many companies have cut the number of employees to fall under the guidelines that requires them to provide insurance coverage. In the case of colleges, most will offer health insurance to its students and faculty. Recently, Wheaton College located just outside of Chicago, did away with providing health care coverage to students due to the use of birth control. Health care for the school’s faculty and staff will remain the same. As for the Wheaton students who are now scrambling to find new health insurance, perhaps they’d like to head down to their local Planned Parenthood chapter where they can get their birth control for free. (Lodi, n.d.) Wheaton College is a Christian liberal arts college. There for the students should be aware that with schools that have a religious base can enforce its values on its student population. Is it legal to do this? Unfortunately they are within their rights to do so. Wheaton almost canceled their health coverage around the time of the last year’s Hobby Lobby case, when the Supreme Court ruled that family-owned corporations were not required to offer birth control coverage to its employees. (Lodi, n.d.) I am a firm believer in the rights of all. The Supreme Court ruling has no bearing on how my life is lived.

            The main focal point should be the welfare of the people and understand that people have a choice and responsibilities. Under the law, an individual is required by law to have insurance. It is not mandated that workplaces or school must provide it as long as they meet certain guidelines that is set in the regulations. In the Wheaton College case, the school itself will not furnish coverage for it students but can still have coverage under the ACA. Hobby Lobby was simply exerting it belief that four types of contraceptives. I feel they are within their rights to do so. They could not provide insurance at all and that would force the employees to seek insurance on their own. Do I believe that the organizations are looking out for what they feel is right? Yes I do as long as the individuals understand that this is what they believe in and want to do. Therefrom have no issue with these organizations exercising their rights.

References

Appelbaum, B. (2014, July 26). What the Hobby Lobby Ruling Means for America

You know that Hobby Lobby covers 16 forms of birth control? (n.d.).

Wheaton College Halts Student Health Coverage Due to Birth Control. (n.d.).

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