Contraceptive-coverage mandate will be reviewed by Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider the constitutionality of the health care law’s contraceptive mandate in challenges by Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp.
The court granted cert on Tuesday, report the Washington Post, SCOTUSblog and CNN.com. At issue is whether for-profit companies can be required to provide contraceptive coverage over the religious objections of their owners. The court will consider whether the requirement, part of the Obama administration’s health care law, violates the Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Hobby Lobby is owned by the Green family, who have a religious belief that life begins at conception. Conestoga Wood Specialties is owned by a Mennonite family.
The cases are Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores and Conestoga Wood Specialties v. Sebelius. They will likely be argued in March.
Prior coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Can companies be required to provide contraceptive coverage? US urges SCOTUS to decide the issue”
ABA Journal: “Along with political speech, many companies also claim they have religious liberty rights” ABAJournal.com: “Mandated contraception coverage is a matter of ‘fierce controversy’ in courts”
Updated on Nov. 27 to fix a typo in Conestoga Wood Specialties.
