Home  >  Missouri  >  Contraception insurance bill in hands of MO governor

Contraception insurance bill in hands of MO governor

By   /   June 4, 2012  /   No Comments

Gov. Jay Nixon

By Johnny Kampis | Missouri Watchdog

JEFFERSON CITY — A bill that would allow Missouri employers to refuse insurance coverage for contraception on religious or moral grounds passed the Republican-controlled General Assembly, but Gov. Jay Nixon has not signed it.

The Democratic governor said the state already has a “strong religious and moral exemption” with existing state laws.

Nixon has until July 14 to sign the legislation. If the governor doesn’t sign or veto it, the bill would become law.

The Missouri Catholic Conference, which pushed the bill, is urging the governor to sign the legislation.

Missouri legislators created the bill in response to an Obama administration policy that requires employers to provide coverage for contraception. Initially, the federal policy required all employers to offer the insurance, but President Barack Obama backtracked to allow an exemption for religious employers.

MCC Executive Director Mike Hoey told the Kansas City Star that the intention of the bill is not to make birth control inaccessible.

“The point is that people with moral objections shouldn’t have to pay for it,” he said.

Missouri Watchdog could not reach Nixon press secretary Scott Holste for comment Monday.

Please, feel free to "steal our stuff"! Just remember to credit Watchdog.org. Find out more