North Carolina Speaker of the House Thom Tillis (R.) clarified his stance on the Hobby Lobby decision, saying contraception should be available over the counter during his debate with Sen. Kay Hagan (D.).
NORAH O’DONNELL: This summer the Supreme Court said Hobby Lobby could opt out of providing contraception to their employees. Do you agree with this ruling?
THOM TILLIS: Well, first, I believe that contraception should be available possibly more broadly than it is today. The Hobby Lobby decision was not about contraception. It was about if a private business decides to open business, they haven't suddenly given up their right to religious freedom.
I actually agree with the American Medical Association that we should make contraception more widely available. I think over-the-counter oral contraception should be available without prescription. You would actually increase the access and reduce the barriers for having more option for women for contraception.
Kay Hagan, I suspect with the support that's she's getting from the pharmaceutical industry may have a variety of reasons not to take it behind the counter. I think that’s something we should work together on because you increase access and reduce cost.
h/t Joel Gehrke