Mo. senator pushes for religious exception

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A debate is starting to build at the Missouri Capitol over birth control.

A Senate committee scheduled a hearing Tuesday on legislation allowing employers to refuse to provide insurance coverage for birth control, abortions or sterilization procedures, if doing so would go against the employer's religious beliefs.

Sponsoring Sen. John Lamping, a St. Louis County Republican, says health insurance is a benefit and that employers should decide how it is structured.

Representatives from Planned Parenthood of Missouri spoke out against the Senate bill Monday, as did several Democratic lawmakers. They say the Senate proposal would essentially allow employers to deny their employees necessary medical care, even if the employees don't share their religious beliefs.

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Birth control bill is SB749

Amendment is SJR49

Online:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov