NY dioceses file suit against abortion insurance mandate

May 23, 2016

Joined by Episcopalian, Lutheran, and Baptist bodies, two dioceses in New York State—the Diocese of Albany and the Diocese of Ogdensburg—have filed suit against the New York State Department of Financial Services over “model language” requiring health insurance plans to cover abortions.

“The Department of Financial Services, without any authority by the legislature, has taken it upon itself to force religious organizations and individuals with strong conscientious objection to abortion to fund this procedure which, in every case, kills a developing unique human person,” said Bishop Edward Scharfenberger of Albany.

“I am proud to stand with my brothers and sisters in an ecumenical expression of unity in challenging this unconstitutional infringement on religious faith and practice,” he added.

 

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Further information:

• Albany Diocese Seeks Reversal of Unconstitutional Abortion Insurance Mandates (Diocese of Albany)
• New York diocese sues to rescind insurer abortion mandate (AP)
• Religious Organizations Challenge NY Regulator's Required Abortion Coverage (Religion Clause)