Gov. Jay Nixon Vetoes Contraceptive Services Bill: Agree or Disagree?

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed a bill that would have allowed employers to deny insurance coverage for contraceptive services if they have religious or moral objections.

Nixon, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, said Missouri law already provides "strong religious protections" that let employers and employees abstain from paying for contraceptive coverage based on their beliefs.

From the report:

Nixon said the bill would undermine the current protections because it would let an insurance company "impose its will, and deny inclusion of contraceptive coverage, even if that position is inconsistent with the rights and beliefs of the employee or employer."

At a news conference in his Capitol office this morning, Nixon said he vetoed the bill because "we want families making these decisions -- not insurance companies."

Sen. John Lamping, R-Ladue, said he would seek to override the veto in September, the report said.

In March, Patch asked readers if they thought contraceptive services should be optional for Missouri employers. The response varied.

But now that Nixon has vetoed the measure, we ask you: Do you support or oppose Nixon's decision to veto the bill? Or do you think his actions are justified? Where do you stand on the issue? Who should be paying for contraceptive services?