Seven state attorneys general and several private plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit against the federal government's recent mandate that employers, including those with religious affiliations, offer health insurance that includes coverage for contraceptives, according to a CNN report.
Churches are exempt from the new mandate, as they were under the previous law. The new mandate initially called for all other employers to cover contraceptives, but President Obama recently scaled back the plan to exempt religious-affiliated universities and hospitals from the requirement. However, insurers would still have to offer plans with contraceptives to employees at these institutions without additional cost to the employee. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops opposes President Obama's "compromise," according to the report.
The states represented in the suit include Nebraska, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Florida and Texas. Their attorneys general argue the law is a violation of the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, according to the report.
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Churches are exempt from the new mandate, as they were under the previous law. The new mandate initially called for all other employers to cover contraceptives, but President Obama recently scaled back the plan to exempt religious-affiliated universities and hospitals from the requirement. However, insurers would still have to offer plans with contraceptives to employees at these institutions without additional cost to the employee. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops opposes President Obama's "compromise," according to the report.
The states represented in the suit include Nebraska, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Florida and Texas. Their attorneys general argue the law is a violation of the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, according to the report.
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