Monday's Supreme Court ruling that corporations can choose not to cover birth control for religious reasons divided the court 5-4 along conservative-liberal lines. But both candidates in the hot race for the 52nd Congressional District seem to be on the same page.
Democratic incumbent Scott Peters called the court's decision "outrageous." He said it's wrong both because it grants corporations civil rights, and because it gives bosses power over employees' health decisions.
"Just as a matter of personal liberty, that's got to be a decision that the patient makes, in this case the woman, in consultation with her doctor," Peters said in an interview. "That's not a decision for a boss or a company or a country to make, that's a personal decision that's a civil right."
In response to a request from KPBS on his position on the ruling, Republican challenger Carl DeMaio sent a statement.
"The continued divisiveness over this issue simply reaffirms my belief that individuals should have the right to make their own health care decisions and reinforces my proposal to give individuals, not employers, more say in their health care,” DeMaio's statement read.
DeMaio's stance sets him apart from other Republicans in Congress, including House Speaker John Boehner, who called the decision a "victory for religious freedom."
