Hobby Lobby: The Decision, The Myths, The Implications

Ever since the decision issued on June 30, 2014 for Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, there has been an uproar of backlash and support. The decision comes almost exactly 50 years after Griswold v. Connecticut  ensuring privacy rights upon striking down a Connecticut statute that prohibits any person from using "any drug, medicinal article or instrument for the purpose of preventing conception." As emotions run high, debates ensue and the aftermath of the decision rears its ugly head, many struggle to understand what exactly took place, and the implications thereof. 

1. Corporations Are People With Religious Freedom
After Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (2010), corporations were granted personhood, therefore recognized as an individual under the eyes of the law. After the decision for Hobby Lobby, they are now recognized as a person with religious freedom. The claims of Hobby Lobby was the denial of coverage of four types of contraception based upon violation of religious belief. The four types of contraception that are being denied are: Plan B, Ella, and two forms of IUDs. 

2. Plan B Does Not Induce An Abortion
Let's revisit health class for a moment. Plan B is an emergency contraception that is offered to be effective for up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. How does it work? It prevents the implantation of a fertilized egg into the uterus and also interferes with the fertilization process by preventing the sperm from penetrating the egg. If an egg does not implant into the uterus, you are not pregnant. Also, Plan B will not work if you are already pregnant. 

3. Birth Control Usage is Not Only For Sexual Activity
Contraception of all types are used not only to prevent pregnancy but to treat other ailments as well. What else does birth control do? Lowers the risk of cancer, acne treatment, menstrual cycle regulation, prevention of anemia, ovarian cyst treatment and prevention, PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Interstitial Cystitis, Endometriosis, and that is only the tip of the iceberg.[1]

4. The Use of Birth Control Lowers the Abortion Rate
According to Planned Parenthood, after 2008 the use of IUDs has raised 75% and 515,000 unplanned pregnancies were prevented because of birth control services. Abortion services only constituted 3% of the services rendered.[2]

5. The Decision is Taken Out of the Hands of the Woman, and Into the Corporation
Access to all types of birth control is extremely important because it exhibits control over one's body. An employer is now able to dictate what type of medical coverage they will support and this goes beyond birth control. Hobby Lobby is not a small town, local family store. It is a nationwide corporation that employs over 21,000 people, that may or may not share the same faith. Despite what the employee may believe, they must now seek other methods to obtain emergency contraception or an IUD. Not only does this take personal choice and control away, but it touches on other issues such as rape and class.

6. Reinforcing Class Structure and Rape Culture
There is an average of  237,868 sexual assaults and rapes that occur per year [3] and according to a study done in 2002, on average 6.4 percent result in pregnancy. [4] Plan B and Ella are emergency contraception methods that can be administered after the occurrence of an assault that can effectively prevent a pregnancy from occurring.  Without insurance coverage, Plan B and Ella can cost upwards of $60. For an employee making only minimum wage, working on average 30 hours a week at Hobby Lobby, that can be a hefty unexpected cost. The burden falls on the shoulders of the victim to come up with the cost and if she is unable, possibly resulting in a pregnancy. It then becomes her responsibility to either terminate the pregnancy, which costs substantially more, or keep the child. Although adoption is an option, a woman who chooses to raise the child is then bearing a heavy cost burden. Economically, the chances of a single woman making minimum wage, supporting a child, and becoming dependent of government assistance is very high. 

The implications of the Hobby Lobby decision do not strictly revolve around birth control. Just as Citizens United laid the foundation for this recent decision, this will only be the beginning for an extension and intrusion into personal choices.