Guttmacher Institute Amicus Brief Filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit: Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Abstract / Summary

The federal government’s 2017 interim final rules regarding the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive coverage requirement greatly expanded exemptions to the requirement on religious or moral grounds. The Guttmacher Institute filed an amicus brief in support of a case brought by the state of Massachusetts opposing the rules. The declaration argues the rules would compromise women’s ability to obtain contraceptive methods, services and counseling and, in particular, to consistently use the methods that work best for them. These rules put women at heightened risk of unintended pregnancy and the negative health, social and economic consequences that can result for women, their families and society. The declaration also includes state-specific public health and fiscal impacts of expanding exemptions to the coverage requirement. Read the full declaration available in PDF.