Begich, Young split over Hobby Lobby decision

  • Monday, June 30, 2014 11:21pm
  • News

JUNEAU (AP) — Sen. Mark Begich says he disagrees with a U.S. Supreme Court decision that found that some companies with religious objections can avoid the contraceptives requirement in President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.

The Democrat says bosses “should not be able to prevent access to family planning and birth control for Alaska women.” He called the decision out-of-touch.

A divided court on Monday found forcing companies to pay for methods of women’s contraception they object to violates the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Republican Rep. Don Young praised the decision as a win for religious freedom.

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A spokesman for the third member of Alaska’s congressional delegation, Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, said she was in rural Alaska and unavailable for comment.

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