Oregonians may not see much change to their health care options following the U.S. Supreme Court’s declaration that — in the eyes of many across the political spectrum — religious freedom trumps reproductive freedom.

David Fidanque, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, said the state’s contraceptive equity law requires that health insurance plans issued in Oregon provide coverage for any prescription contraceptive drug.

Monday’s Supreme Court decision in the Hobby Lobby case “only applies to the federal government in requiring contraceptives,” Fidanque said. “If there are state mandates in place, those state mandates are still effective.”

Oregon law currently requires health benefit plans provided by private companies to their employees to offer prescription contraceptives, with religious exemptions offered only to nonprofit organizations.

Fidanque said the Supreme Court’s ruling is narrow, allowing only a limited number of companies such as Hobby Lobby to object to providing contraceptives on religious grounds.

But U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said the high court’s decision is a “tremendous blow” to a woman’s ability to access fundamental health care.

The court’s 5-4 ruling “will make it more difficult for women to make critical personal health choices and shows just how far we still have to go to ensure total equality for women in the workplace and, unfortunately, even in the doctor’s office,” Merkley said in a statement. “Based on the reasoning of this opinion, employers could deny employees access to other essential health care, such as inoculations, blood transfusions or surgeries.”

Laura Terrill Patten, executive director for Planned Parenthood Advocates for Oregon, said Monday’s decision clearly focused on the plaintiff companies’ specific claims. Nonetheless, she said she is concerned that the case could be cited to further restrict reproductive rights in the future.

“I worry about how the language in the decision will be used by those who think women should be denied access to birth control,” Patten said.

Among those in support of the court’s decision, Gayle Atteberry with Oregon Right to Life said the ruling only acts to protect the U.S. Constitution and the freedom of religion — not to restrict access to birth control.

“Contraceptives are readily available, and available at a low cost,” Atteberry said. “This will not stop that at all.”

Follow Ian on Twitter @MrCampbell17 . Email ian.campbell@registerguard.com .