Dive Brief:
- The CEOs of nine major companies, including Indiana University Health and Anthem, have written a letter to Indiana governor Mike Pence asking him to reconsider the provisions of the recently-passed Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
- Since the law passed, Governor Pence has fielded accusations that the law will allow businesses to discriminate against LGBT customers based on religious beliefs.
- Several other businesses have announced they will suspend business travel to Indiana as a means of protesting the law.
Dive Insight:
On March 31, Governor Pence held a press conference to address the controversy. Although he defended the law, he also said he wants a bill on his desk by the end of the week "making it clear the law does not allow businesses the right to deny services to anyone."
"This law does not give anyone the right to discriminate," Pence said at a the press conference. "But I can appreciate that that has become the perception."