Appeals court rules against New York Catholic groups in challenge to contraceptive mandate
August 10, 2015
Another federal appeals court—this time in New York—has rejected an appeal from Catholic non-profit groups for exemption from the contraceptive mandate in the “Obamacare” health-care law.
Reversing a lower court’s decision in favor of the Church organizations, the Second Circuit Court denied that it is a “substantial burden” to require religious organizations to file a form stating their decision not to include contraceptive coverage in employees’ health-care programs. The plaintiffs—including Catholic schools and hospital systems in New York—had argued that by filing the required form they would trigger the coverage that they found morally objectionable.
The plaintiffs are considering an appeal. Their case is one of several similar suits, which will likely lead to an eventual Supreme Court ruling.
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Posted by: FredC -
Aug. 11, 2015 3:17 PM ET USA
As an alternative, the businesses could form a health-care cooperative. Cooperatives are not covered by the mandate.
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Posted by: unum -
Aug. 10, 2015 7:32 PM ET USA
We have to take this to the Supreme Court. If we lose there, the only course of action is civil disobedience!
