Zubik v. Burwell Ruling Leaves Key Issues Unresolved

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Press Release from the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Washington, D.C., May 16, 2016– In response to today’s Supreme Court ruling in Zubik v. Burwell, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:

We are disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision to send Zubik v. Burwell back to the lower courts, leaving key issues unresolved in the challenge to the religious non-profits’ accommodation under the Affordable Care Act’s contraception rule. As the lower courts rehear these cases, we hope they will conclusively rule for the government as did the majority of courts before the Supreme Court first took up this case. Women working for religious non-profits must have access to coverage for full contraceptive care.

The accommodation crafted by the government for religious non-profits under the Affordable Care Act’s contraception rule wisely and delicately balances religious freedom and reproductive rights. And we are proud that the Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis joined American Jewish Committee’s amicus brief on the side of the government to this effect. Any future changes to the accommodation must ensure women’s full and seamless access to reproductive rights.

Today’s action once again demonstrates the central role played by the Supreme Court in affecting the most personal and important aspects of Americans’ lives. And it reminds us as well that it is long past time for the Senate to act on the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland and ensure a fully functioning Supreme Court.

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The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose nearly 900 congregations across North America encompass 1.5 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, whose membership includes more than 2,000 Reform rabbis. Visit www.rac.org for more.