HOBBY LOBBY VS. THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
Leonila Gonzalez oUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY
HOBBY LOBBY VS. THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
Leonila Gonzalez oUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY

Businesses can be affected by many laws and mandates that are set by the state or federal government. It can be difficult for a small firm to stay in business when such mandates are passed. The Affordable Care Act was signed into law by President Obama on Mach 23, 2010. Key components to the law are improving quality and health care costs, new consumer protections and access to healthcare, and mandating that all firms provided insurance for their employees. Small Business Tax credits were also included as an incentive and a way to reduce cost for the smaller firms. (Human Health Services, 2014) In order for a firm to be exempt from providing insurance to its employees they had to be classified as a non-profit organization or a Church. A businesses classification will give them exemptions for example a non-profit organization. A non-profit organization can be defined as “an incorporated organization which exists for educational or charitable reasons, and from which its shareholders or trustees do not benefit financially” (Investor Words, 2014). Because of the mandates of the Affordable Care Act, it is now in the center of litigation in which a for-profit organization is asking for exemptions from providing women health care, contraceptives, due to the owner’s religious belief. (Reese, 2014) Can a for-profit be exempt? What cases have been decided in which a for-profit organization has had a religious exemption? What are the implications to a business if a for-profit business gains religious exemptions on the owner’s religious beliefs? Hobby Lobby was founded by David Green in 1970. Mr. Green is 72 years old and operates as the chief executive officer of Hobby Lobby,