Employers don't pay for abortions

In response to "Not respecting liberty of conscience" (Dec. 4, Letters):

Any conversation about such an emotional issue should start with the facts about the law.

The law says that insurance companies are required to provide contraceptives to any American who asks, without a co-pay, and prohibits insurance companies raising premiums to pay for these items. Insurance companies are allowed to apply the cost to the 80 percent of premium dollars that are mandated to be spent on actual health care services. The employer plays no part in these activities.

Simply put, companies like Hobby Lobby do not pay for any "abortifacients" or "dual-action contraceptives."

Looking at the larger picture, how much control do we want to give corporations over the private lives of their employees? I understand the owners of the company have a moral objection to the use of contraceptives. But, in America, nobody has the right to use undue influence to direct the behavior of our citizens, no matter where they work.

In a secular government laws are passed to benefit the entire population, wholly devoid of religious considerations. What corporate owners do in the privacy of their own homes has nothing to do with the choices of the people they employ.

I wake up every day greatly relieved we have a president like Barack Obama, who seeks to protect the rights of all private citizens, whether or not those citizens want protection.

GINGER HADLEY

Manteca