Federal courts issue split decisions on HHS mandate

December 23, 2013

On December 19 and 20, federal courts issued split decisions on the HHS mandate, which compels most employers to offer insurance coverage that covers contraception, sterilization, and some abortifacients.

Retired law professor Howard Fineman noted on the Religion Clause blog that courts ruled in favor of Thomas Aquinas College, Legatus (an organization of Catholic business executives), and the Southern Baptist Convention’s GuideStone Financial Resources in their efforts for relief against the mandate.

Courts ruled against Priests for Life, the University of Notre Dame, the Archdiocese of Washington, and archdiocesan co-plaintiff Catholic University of America.

The conflicting decisions in federal courts increase the likelihood-- already high-- that the issue will ultimately be settled by the US Supreme Court.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Two Important Decisions Handed Down On Contraceptive Coverage Accommodation For Religious Non-Profits (Religion Clause)
• Two More Courts Issue Preliminary Injunctions In Non-Profit Challenges To Contraceptive Mandate Accommodation (Religion Clause)
• After 2 Wins, Religious Non-Profits Lose Challenge To Contraceptive Mandate Accommodation In D.C. Federal District Court (Religion Clause)
• Statement of Archdiocese of Washington in Response to U.S. District Court’s Decision in Archbishop of Washington et al. v. Kathleen Sebelius