Q: Is it true that Hobby Lobby, which recently protested to the Supreme Court that it shouldn't have to pay for employee health insurance that covers contraceptives, has invested $73 million in companies that make contraceptives? — Donald C. Varn, Conyers
A: Hobby Lobby's retirement plan has $73 million in overall holdings that include many other companies, according to published reports. A review of U.S. Department of Labor documents and fund portfolios shows that the pharmaceutical companies make up a small amount of the company's total holdings, The Associated Press reported. Hobby Lobby, a privately held company owned by the Green family of Oklahoma City, has a 401(k) plan that has invested in pharmaceutical companies that make an assortment of contraceptive devices. They include Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Pfizer and Forest Laboratories, which produce intrauterine birth control devices, emergency contraceptive pills and drugs used in abortion procedures. Hobby Lobby has sued the Obama administration because the Affordable Care Act stipulates employers cover forms of contraceptives at no cost and the company's "religious beliefs prohibit them from providing health coverage for contraceptive drugs and devices that end human life after conception."
Q: Have the men's and women's basketball teams from the same NCAA Division I school won national championships in the same year prior to this season? — Kathy McDonough, Peachtree Corners
A: The men's and women's basketball teams from the University of Connecticut won national championships in 2004. They repeated that feat this season. Connecticut defeated Kentucky 60-54 for the men's title on Monday, and the Connecticut women beat Notre Dame 79-58 on Tuesday.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
About the Author
