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Faculty Panel to Explore Issues of Affordable Care Act

by Sarah Geegan

A panel of faculty members will address a growing debate in national health care policy on Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. in the White Hall Classroom Building, Room 114.

Sponsored by the Department of Philosophy and the Department of Political Science, the event will examine a prevailing issue surrounding the Affordable Care Act: that it requires most employers to provide insurance that covers contraception and sterilization. The requirement includes procedures that many critics consider a form of abortion.

The panel, consisting of professor Jacob Affolter from the Department of Philosophy; professor Davida Isaacs from the Department of Political Science; professor Sara Rosenthal  from the UK Program for Bioethics; and professor Paul Salamanca from the UK College of Law, will discuss the legal, political, public health, social and religious issues behind the controversy.

"The panel will address such questions as, 'Why do critics have moral objections to providing this type of insurance coverage?'; 'What benefits does the requirement have for public health and for individual women?'; 'Does the requirement violate religious freedom?'; and 'Was the decision politically advantageous to either candidate in the presidential election?'" David Bradshaw, chair of the Department of Philosophy, said.

The event is free and open to the public, and is part of the Philosophy and Modern Life Lecture Series.

For more information, click here.