Alexander: People of faith should not have their government tell them how to practice their religion,

In June after the Supreme Court ruled that the owners of Hobby Lobby did not have to violate their conscience and provide certain birth control drugs for their employees, the Obama administration started looking for a work-around. Friday, the administration issued new rules that will still enable employees to get free contraception through their company-provided insurance plan but would have the funding for that part of the plan come from the insurance company.  This would apply to faith-based non-profits and some companies. The company or non-profit would have to apply for this accommodation.  This is smoke and mirrors to make it appear that the company is not providing it but still make it available through the employer's insurance plan.

White House spokesman Eric Schultz said, “What these rules do is help ensure that women have access to contraceptive coverage while respecting religious beliefs."

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander on Friday, August 22 issued the made the following statement:

“People of faith should not have their government tell them how to practice their religion, and these proposals still infringe on the First Amendment’s protections. Instead of trying to find a different way to do the same thing, the Obama administration should admit that Obamacare was an historic mistake, and work with Republicans in Congress to start over to repair the damage it has done and prevent future damage with step-by-step reforms that reduce the cost of health insurance and expand freedom and choice.”