Should Contraceptive Services be Optional for Missouri Employers?

In the wake of a massive Jefferson City rally over the issue, the Missouri state Senate this week gave initial approval to legislation that would allow employers to deny insurance coverage for contraceptive services if they have religious or moral objections.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch covered the issue this week with a story that quoted several St. Louis-area residents who attended the rally in the Missouri Capitol.

Area residents such as John Jost from Chesterfield and Terri Booher from Florissant framed the issue as one of religious freedom: "Congress shall pass no law prohibiting the free exercise of my religion,” the Post quoted Jost as saying. “End of story. Stay out of my religion.”

Sen. John Lamping, R-Ladue, the legislation's sponsor, told the Jefferson City News Tribune that there was a lot of misinformation out about the proposed law, which would not apply to women who are prescribed contraceptives for medical reasons.

"It’s not been made clear in the public discourse that, today, women receive contraceptive services when their need for them (is) the result of a medical issue," Lamping told the News Tribune.

Media reports such as this from the Springfield News-Leader said more than 1,000 residents of Missouri had come for the rally in support of the legislation, many saying the government should have no role in requiring employers and insurance companies to provide coverage for birth control or abortion services.

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