AAP Statement on Supreme Court Decision Upholding Exemptions from ACA Contraception Mandate

By: Sally Goza, MD, FAAP, President, American Academy of Pediatrics 

“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is disappointed in today's 7-2 decision from the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the administration’s broad exemption allowing employers to opt out of the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) requirement to offer no-cost contraception to employees based on moral or religious beliefs.

“We are concerned that the decision leaves the door open for exemptions allowing employers to refuse to pay for other vital health care services, like vaccines. During a global pandemic, any uncertainty around accessing life-saving vaccinations is cause for concern. At a time when we should be relying on evidence to protect the health of children and families, this decision misses an opportunity to reinforce the importance of science and what we know is necessary to support public health. When a vaccine becomes available to combat coronavirus, there should be no obstacles that stand in the way of being able to access it.

"The American Academy of Pediatrics outlined our concerns in a brief to the court. As legal challenges to the exemptions may continue in lower courts, pediatricians will continue to oppose them and work to ensure that access to vital medical services is not determined by the personal beliefs of an individual's employer."

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org and follow us on Twitter @AmerAcadPeds