The following is a release from Congresswoman Suzan DelBene’s office:

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene joined her colleagues in the House Pro-Choice Caucus in introducing legislation today that would prohibit for-profit employers from using religious beliefs to deny employees coverage of contraception or any other vital health services required by federal law. The bill responds to the Supreme Court’s decision last week in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, and Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Mark Udall (D-CO) are introducing companion legislation in the Senate.

The Protect Women’s Health from Corporate Interference Act will make it clear that for-profit employers cannot discriminate against their female employees, protecting contraceptive coverage for the 99 percent of women who use birth control at some point in their lives. At the same time, this bill keeps in place the existing exemption for religious employers (e.g., houses of worship) and accommodations for religious non-profits who do not wish to provide contraceptives.

After introduction of the bill, DelBene issued the following statement:

“It is incredibly important that Congress respond to the Supreme Court’s decision last week that gives for-profit employers the ability to interfere in their workers’ personal healthcare decisions. This issue is too important not to fight for.

“This bill is necessary to ensure women’s access to birth control is protected. It will also defend all workers, both men and women, from their bosses’ interference in decisions that should be made privately between them and their doctors.”