Federal judge backs Colorado firm's bid to block HHS contraceptive mandate
July 27, 2012
A federal judge in Colorado has given a preliminary legal victory to a privately owned business, granting an injunction to stop the implementation of the Obama administration’s contraceptive mandate.
Hercules Industries--a firm owned by a Catholic family, the Newlands—had argued that the mandate would force the owners either to violate their consciences or to suffer severe financial penalties. Judge John Kane agreed, saying that the government’s interest in a health-insurance program “are countered, and indeed outweighed, by the public interest in the free exercise of religion.”
The court’s injunction applies only to Hercules Industries. The firm had argued that without an injunction, it would have been obliged to begin covering contraceptives for its 265 employees on August 1, when its new health-care plans went into effect.
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Posted by: dad2dlj -
Aug. 03, 2012 6:50 PM ET USA
The sadly predictable thing is that this decision seems to have gotten no coverage whatsoever in the secular press or media. Yes -- it is a prelminary injunction, but part of the standard of receiving a preliminary injunction is a showing of likelihood of success on the merits. I doubt the media at large would have been so silent on a decision against Hercules Industries.
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Posted by: -
Jul. 28, 2012 9:38 AM ET USA
Now there is a Friday surprise we can all live with. Thank you Jesus.
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Posted by: unum -
Jul. 28, 2012 7:47 AM ET USA
... and God bless the courage of Hercules and the efforts of the Becket Fund. Both need our prayers, and Becket needs our financial support.
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Jul. 27, 2012 6:00 PM ET USA
God bless this judge, who will now endure the wrath of many. This fight will not be over until either the administration capitulates (or is thrown out of power) or there are Catholics in jail. God grant the former.
