Washington, D.C. – Interfaith Alliance President Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy released the following statement in response to new rules issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services related to the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate:

“The regulations proposed by the Obama Administration are likely the least bad outcome that could be achieved following the mess made by the Supreme Court’s recent decisions on the contraception mandate. The accommodation the administration initially put forward – though already a departure from the more narrowly tailored exemption we urged – was an acceptable measure when it was limited to religious institutions. Broadening it now to include for-profit corporations sets a dangerous precedent by allowing an ever-expanding group of businesses to wrap themselves in the cloak of religion in order to opt out of the rule of law.”

“While the administration’s action takes a significant step toward protecting the health care of women across the country, let’s be clear that this latest action in no way undoes the broader damage to religious freedom inflicted by the Court’s majority decision in Hobby Lobby. The religious right’s attempt to redefine religious freedom and impose its own point of view on the rest of us, cannot be allowed to continue unopposed.”

Interfaith Alliance celebrates religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism. Founded in 1994, Interfaith Alliance brings together members from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition to protect faith and freedom. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.