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GOP's Baker Calls For $300,000 To Mass. DPH For Contraception Coverage

BOSTON (AP) — Republican candidate for governor Charlie Baker is proposing a $300,000 increase for the Department of Public Health to offer contraceptive services to women potentially affected by a recent Supreme Court decision.

Baker said the increase in the department's family health services budget would provide comprehensive contraceptive care to women working for companies with faith-based leadership that are self-insured and closely held and choose not to provide contraceptive coverage.

A recent Supreme Court ruling found some companies with religious objections can avoid the contraceptives requirement in President Obama's health care overhaul.

Baker had initially said the ruling wouldn't change a thing in Massachusetts because of the state's health care law, but later said that it was possible a small segment of Massachusetts employers could qualify for the narrow exemption to the contraception mandate.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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