President Trump’s pick for top health official defended the Trump administration’s decision to scale back a mandate that employers provide zero-cost birth control.
Alex Azar, Trump’s pick to lead Health and Human Services, told senators Wednesday the conscience of employers needs to be taken into account when it comes to providing birth control. The comments come about a month after Trump scaled back the Obamacare requirement that employers offer birth control with no copay.
Azar said you “have to balance the woman’s choice with the conscience of employers and others.”
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., replied by asking what should happen if a woman’s doctor recommends it but the employer has precedence under federal law.
“In terms of insurance to force those very few, less than 200, that would be impacted by the conscience exception to respect their rights and women’s access through insurance,” Azar answered.
Trump allowed employers to get an exemption from providing birth control at no cost to employers if they have a moral or religious objection.
Previously, the Obama administration gave religious nonprofits such as charities or universities and privately held companies an accommodation where their employees still get birth control but the government picks up the tab.
