US Eden Foods jumps on the 'no health insurance coverage for birth control' bandwagon

[Calliegirl]

I will definitely not be buying any Eden Foods products again.

Eden Foods is one of several for-profit corporations challenging Obama Administration rules requiring most employer-provided health plans to cover birth control, on the questionable legal theory that Eden is immune to these rules because its owner has religious objections to birth control. According to Eden’s legal complaint, Eden’s owner “Michael Potterholds religious beliefs that prevent him from participating in, paying for, training others to engage in, or otherwise supporting contraception, abortion, and abortifacients.”

In an interview with Salon’s Irin Carmon, however, Potter’s supposed religious beliefs are unusually absent. Rather, Carmon quotes Potter raising objections to the birth control rules that have nothing whatsoever to do with his faith:....

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/20...d-kill-his-attack-on-birth-control/?mobile=nc

“I’ve got more interest in good quality long underwear than I have in birth control pills,” the unfamiliar voice on the phone said to me.

It was Michael Potter, the Eden Foods founder and CEO. He was calling to respond to my Salon report from last week, which revealed that his organic food company — which markets itself to a crunchy, liberal crowd — was quietly suing the Obama administration over its requirement that his company’s employee health plan cover birth control. Mostly, he said in the most amiable, avowedly Midwestern way imaginable — at one point he called himself “a pretty simple guy, a Midwestern homemade-soup guy” — he was calling to apologize to me.

It wasn’t that he was upset about my reporting or what his company was doing. He was just sorry my request for comment had gone unanswered due to an oversight. I accepted the apology, and asked why he said he didn’t care about birth control, since he filed a suit about it and all...

http://www.salon.com/2013/04/15/eden_foods_ceo_digs_himself_deeper_in_birth_control_outrage/

 

[Amy SF]

Sounds like a real *******. But would a boycott of Eden Foods even make a difference?

 

[Ansciess]

I specifically bought Eden canned beans because of their BPA-free cans. I won't be buying them anymore.

I don't know whether a boycott would make any real difference in their profits, but I don't want to support them anymore.

 

[peacefulveglady]

I think purchasing Eden foods for BPA free cans is more important then Birth control, Hobby Lobby had threat the same thing but, at the last min they changed their minds.

 

[thefadedone]

I think purchasing Eden foods for BPA free cans is more important then Birth control, Hobby Lobby had threat the same thing but, at the last min they changed their minds.

Really?

Sounds like a real *******. But would a boycott of Eden Foods even make a difference?

I agree that he sounds like an *******. A boycott worked after Papa Johns pulled the same crap.

 

[peacefulveglady]

I read a few pages, I don't think this fight will be long, its political rather a health debate. This is example how politics are hurting people and others around them.

 

[beancounter]

It really has nothing to do with religious beliefs and everything to do with an opportunity to reduce costs...and potentially sets a precedent for companies to "object" to other aspects of health insurance coverage.

 

[RabbitLuvr]

I've never seen this brand, but will not be purchasing from them if I do see them.

 

[peacefulveglady]

My area has only limited supply of their stuff so I don't have to worry. I get store brands of things that are organic anyhow.

 

[mary1]

I don't buy Eden only because it usually costs way more than the other brands.

 

[ledboots]

I don't buy Eden only because it usually costs way more than the other brands.

It always looked good, but I only ever bought a couple cans of soup from Eden. Too expensive.

 

[peacefulveglady]

Statement from the President of Eden Foods



17 April 2013
Greetings,
Please be discerning consumers. Grotesque mischaracterizations about Eden Foods' action related to the Health & Human Services (HHS) mandate, Affordable Care Act, are most regrettable.
On March 21st, 2013 a press release announced our lawsuit against the unconstitutional government overreach in the HHS mandate. This announcement was made to the media and general public. We apologize for the unintended consternation given rise to by this action.
Eden Foods' health care provider is required by the HHS to comply with all details of the Affordable Care Act. Parts of the mandate violate the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act. This overreach of the federal government infringes on religious freedoms.
It is discriminatory that not all employers have to comply with the HHS mandate. Millions of people and thousands of companies are exempt. The exemptions under the Act are illogical, inconsistent, and contributing factors to our lawsuit. For instance, McDonald's Inc. and 166 unions are exempt. Small employers are exempt. Individuals who practice certain faiths are exempt, while individuals who practice other faiths are not. Federal employees are exempt, and this is hypocritical. There is no exemption for the religious freedoms of employers.
Eden employee benefits include health, dental, vision, life, and a fifty percent 401k match. The benefits have not funded "lifestyle drugs," an insurance industry drug classification that includes contraceptives, Viagra, smoking cessation, weight-loss, infertility, impotency, etc. This entire plan is managed with a goal of long-term sustainability.
We believe in a woman's right to decide, and have access to, all aspects of their health care and reproductive management. This lawsuit does not block, or intend to block, anyone's access to health care or reproductive management. This lawsuit is about protecting religious freedom and stopping the government from forcing citizens to violate their conscience. We object to the HHS mandate and its government overreach.
This is an important matter that deserves attention from us all.
Our actions have been, and will remain, principled and transparent. Eden's focus is pure food, ethical business practice, and the nurturing of all people and the planet.
Respectfully,
Michael Potter, President

http://www.edenfoods.com/articles/view.php?articles_id=219

 

[Calliegirl]

In the end it still says, he doesn't want his insurance to cover birth control for the employees of his company because of his beliefs, regardless of the feelings of the employees. So, he is forcing his beliefs on everyone else.

 

[peacefulveglady]

actually what I collected also that the insurance companies has rules too. Its too hard to tell with this but, i am sure in the end the politics will leave soon out of this and things will go back to normal, they are lashing out against Obama because they don't like Obama.

 

[Renee1]

Ugh gross. "Lifestyle drugs". **** you.

 

[peacefulveglady]

Ugh gross. "Lifestyle drugs". **** you.

Blame the insurance companies that label them lifestyle drugs.

 

[Renee1]

Blame the insurance companies that label them lifestyle drugs.

ummm i did...

But I also blame the people who support these companies because that is how it works.

 

[peacefulveglady]

Again this will pass because they are outraged over Obama care this is a lashing out there will be more lashing out as times goes on and Its only the beginning, It can happen to any company. I don't think its Eden foods itself that is doing this its the CEO and his personal beliefs .
I am a Christian and I would like to have a company in future I believe in woman's rights to choose and I respect employee's personal choices. What these companies are doing like chic fil a and alike they are bring things in that should remain out and it should be a neutral environment. I think if people are boycotting Eden foods it should be until they get a neutral way of issues like this.

 

[Renee1]

capitalism is actually the worst and things like that just serve to remind me of that

 

[RabbitLuvr]

I don't buy from companies who try to push the religious beliefs of a CEO onto their employees. **** them. I'll spend my money elsewhere.

(An insurance companies don't have "rules" against covering birth control, Viagra, etc. the plans offered are chosen BY THE EMPLOYERS. The company is the one to blame this time, period.)