On July 8, 2020, the United States Supreme Court ruled that President Trump’s administration would allow U.S. employers to deny no-cost birth control and contraceptive coverage to their employees previously mandated under the Obama administration’s Affordable Care Act.

Birth control methods approved by the FDA include pills, female condoms, patches, injections, IUDs, implants, diaphragms, rings, Plan B and sterilization.

This decision limits women’s rights and puts them under the burden of paying the out of pocket costs of birth control, even though common birth control has health benefits beyond preventing unwanted pregnancies, such as regulating hormones, periods and acne and alleviating symptoms of conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). Furthermore, women should be able to use birth control for its named purpose if they choose not to have children.

As a disclaimer, birth control is not without health risks, but women are advised of these risks prior to being prescribed the medicine, and they should have the right to have it covered by insurance should they choose to take it.

Studies have supported the claims that limiting availability of free birth control methods is correlated with an increase an abortions, which are a riskier termination of pregnancies that endanger women, should they choose to have the procedure.

There must be a separation of church and state, ensuring female and trans employees’ approved contraception methods are insured, regardless of their employer. While employers may not personally agree with contraceptives, they should not be able to deny coverage to those they employ who have their own right to do what they want with their bodies.

The Supreme Court must reverse this ruling and strengthen women’s rights to choose what they do with their bodies, rather than limit the progress that has been made thus far. The justices must re-examine their position and consider the health and well-beingof women who use birth control for its most well-known aspect, as well as its other uses that can improve quality of life.