Justice Sonia Sotomayor rejected an injunction request from retail chain Hobby Lobby, owned by Catholic individuals, that would have put a hold on the contraception provision until the Supreme Court had made its ruling on the case. Sotomayor oversees the federal circuit where the request was filed.
In her opinion, she wrote Hobby Lobby’s request did not meet the full criteria to merit an injunction.
“While the applicants allege they will face irreparable harm if they are forced to choose between complying with the contraception-coverage requirement and paying significant fines, they cannot show that an injunction is necessary or appropriate to aid our jurisdiction,” Justice Sotomayor wrote.
Beginning New Year’s Day, employers will need to include contraception free of co-pays or deductibles to employees’ health insurance. Exemptions are made for religious institutions, and many religiously-affiliated organizations are able to comply if their insurance providers pay the cost instead of employer contributions. Secular organizations owned by individuals who are religious say the policy infringes on their religious freedom.
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Catholic Health Association Reverses Stance on Contraception Compromise
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