Rev. Jes Kast: Access to birth control crucial to religious liberty

A few years ago, in the middle of the night, my wife shook me awake. “I need help,” she whispered and pulled me out of my sleep. I kept her calm as I half carried her to the bathroom. She was having another episode of debilitating pain and nausea caused entirely by her menstrual cycle. This time, she thought she may need to go to the hospital. We were in the bathroom for an hour or more until we could get her pain to subside and the sickness to pass. This was not the first time this had happened. Just a month earlier she had taken so much ibuprofen to control the pain that she became ill at work and had to lay on her office floor for several hours before she could drive herself home. Something had to change.

My wife was in need of medical care. Her doctor prescribed her birth control due to a medical condition that intensified her cycles and interfered with her well-being, her employment and enjoyment in life. As her partner, I know birth control is critical for my wife. As a pastor, I believe birth control is essential health care, a medical necessity for many and a social justice cause for Christians.

But the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to allow employers to deny birth control to their employees if they have a religious or moral objection does not support religious freedom, nor does it support life or a healthy functioning society. Instead, the court’s denial of access to contraception is a violation of religious freedom that privileges employers’ religious views over their employees.

Ensuring birth control is available for all people is a moral issue. It’s an issue of life and wellness for individuals planning their futures. It allows people to decide if and when to have a family, and is a form of medical care for a variety of serious conditions. Many people’s use of contraception — like my wife’s — is informed by their religious beliefs — and I’ve seen its impact firsthand.

My wife is taking birth control because it is a health necessity. In fact, many women take birth control for this reason. It is no different than any other medication someone needs to provide support for healthy functioning. Her insurance, or anyone’s insurance, should not restrict the coverage needed to live a healthy life.

The Affordable Care Act’s birth control benefit expanded contraceptive coverage with no out-of-pocket costs for more than 62 million women, including 17 million Latinas and 15 million Black women. These women rely on birth control both to manage medical issues and to plan their families and their lives. In that sense, the birth control benefit is a great expression of Christian ethics. Because of the Supreme Court’s decision, many more businesses and universities will have the opportunity to opt out of providing this critical coverage. This is a damaging ruling for people’s essential health care.

Birth control provides individuals and families support and freedom to plan their future and their families. My faith works to protect the rights of people to decide when they choose to get pregnant. Preventing pregnancy is a personal choice that should not be restricted. Allowing people freedom in their family planning not only provides support to an individual, but it also is a wise economic decision, ensuring the stability and advancement of individuals and families. Birth control creates a stronger economy and society.

I long for the day when doctor-patient health care is not disrupted by political schemes or people claiming religious liberty exceptions. This is an anti-religious ruling. The Gospel calls Christians to ensure the protection of abundant life. Giving employers the freedom to deny medical access to birth control is immoral. Instead of protecting personal moral convictions it will prohibit the flourishing of life for a healthy society. This is not Gospel, this is restricting liberty.

It’s a sad day for our country and for Christians who care about social justice. I’ve seen the necessity of birth control access and pray we can work together to make it available for all.