Federal courts issue mixed decisions on HHS mandate
December 31, 2013
In recent days, federal courts have issued split decisions on the HHS mandate, which compels most employers to offer insurance that covers contraception, sterilization, and some abortifacients.
Retired law professor Howard Fineman noted on the Religion Clause blog that courts ruled in favor of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Grace College and Seminary, Biola University, East Texas Baptist University, Houston Baptist University, and Westminster Theological Seminary in their efforts for relief against the mandate.
Courts ruled against the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Michigan Catholic Conference, the Diocese of Nashville, Nashville Catholic Charities, and Aquinas College in Tennessee.
The conflicting decisions in federal courts increase the likelihood – already high – that the issue will be settled by the US Supreme Court.
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Further information:
- Colorado Federal Court: Contraceptive Mandate Accommodation Imposes No Substantial Burden On ERISA-Exempt Church Plans (Religion Clause)
- Decisions In Non-Profit Challenges To Contraceptive Mandate Accommodation Continue To Be Issued (Religion Clause)
- 3 Religiously Affiliated Schools Win Texas Federal Court Injunction Against Contraceptive Mandate (Religion Clause)
- Preliminary Injunction Denied In Contraceptive Mandate Challenge By Nashville Diocese Affiliates (Religion Clause)
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