Thread: BREAKING: Justices: Can't make employers cover contraception

Jun 30, 10:32 AM EDT


Justices: Can't make employers cover contraception

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...06-30-10-19-15

Supreme Court backs Hobby Lobby in contraceptive mandate challenge

Published June 30, 2014FoxNews.com


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The Supreme Court ruled Monday that certain "closely held" for-profit businesses can cite religious objections in order to opt out of a requirement in ObamaCare to provide free contraceptive coverage for their employees.
The 5-4 decision was one of two final rulings to come down on Monday, as the justices wrapped up their work for the session. The other reined in the ability of unions to collect dues from home health care workers.
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At issue in the ObamaCare case was a challenge brought by Oklahoma City-based Hobby Lobby and a furniture maker in Pennsylvania. The for-profit businesses challenged the requirement in the Affordable Care Act that employers cover contraception for women at no extra charge among a range of preventive benefits in employee health plans.
It was the first major challenge to ObamaCare to come before the court since the justices upheld the law's individual requirement to buy health insurance two years ago.
Dozens of companies, including Hobby Lobby, claim religious objections to covering some or all contraceptives. The methods and devices at issue before the Supreme Court are those the plaintiffs say can work after conception. They are the emergency contraceptives Plan B and ella, as well as intrauterine devices, which can cost up to $1,000.
The court had never before recognized a for-profit corporation's religious rights under federal law or the Constitution. The companies in this case, and their backers, argue that a 1993 federal law on religious freedom extends to businesses.
The Obama administration argued it's not just about birth control, and that a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the businesses could undermine laws governing immunizations, Social Security taxes and minimum wages.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014...t-hobby-lobby/