Free contraceptives key to reducing abortion // Guttmacher Institute amicus brief

graphic by the Guttmacher Institute

The Guttmacher Institute is the leading non-profit educating people about sexual and reproductive health.  Its amicus brief in the Hobby Lobby and Conestoga wood cases to be argued this week shows the compelling interest in providing cost-free contraception to women.  Former Solicitor General Walter Dellinger explains that reducing unintended pregnancy will reduce abortions - since 40% of unintended pregnancies are aborted.

The most appealing argument made by the objectors is that since they believe that certain forms of contraception may prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus the medicine is an "abortifacient".  Since they consider that to be a sin, their consciences are burdened by complicity in making such an event possible.  As Marty Lederman explains here in his characteristically careful manner, the price that Hobby Lobby seeks to impose to salve the business owner's conscience is to deny all their female employees the right of access to approved contraceptives without cost-sharing provided by the Affordable Care Act - a/k/a Obamacare.


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