How to Talk to Your Boss about Birth Control Coverage — For Real
By Miriam Berg | July 16, 2014, 6:28 p.m.
Category: Birth Control, Health Care Equity
Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has let bosses deny their employees coverage for birth control, every woman should be asking her boss one question: “Are you seeking to change our birth control coverage?”
Talking to your boss about birth control coverage can be difficult because — duh — it should not be your boss’ business! This situation was so unbelievable that we made a biting satire of what we hoped we’d never need to do: ask our bosses about birth control. But the Supreme Court is making it our boss’ business. So, here is how to broach the subject — for real.
Follow these guidelines to get the information you need to make decisions about your work, your health, and your birth control.
Afraid to Talk to Your Boss? You Are Not Alone.
If you feel tongue tied, try these talking points:
- Learn the top five facts about birth control coverage in the United States.
- Know the big picture on why we all benefit from birth control.
- Debunk the biggest myths on the Hobby Lobby case and the 82 employers who want to follow suit.
What to Do if Your Boss Is Ending Coverage
If you talk to your boss and she/he says that your organization is dropping birth control coverage, contact Planned Parenthood to report it. Text the words “birth control” to the number 69866.
Most employers are legally required to formally notify you when your benefits change.
What to Do if Your Boss Doesn’t Know
If your boss isn’t sure whether birth control coverage will continue, then invite her/him to have a discussion with you and other employees about why copay-free insurance coverage for birth control is important. Read these stories from people across the country on how birth control has benefitted them to help you and your co-workers tell your boss why this coverage is important to you.
What to Do if Your Boss Is Continuing Coverage
If your boss says birth control will still be covered, THANK them! Then ask that they notify all employees that there won’t be a change. This will help anyone who is worried in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
Tags: Hobby Lobby, Supreme Court, birth control
