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November 27, 2013

Supreme Court Takes Up Challenge to Contraception Mandate 
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The Supreme Court has agreed to take on cases that could decide if
corporations can ignore parts of federal law based on the religious
beliefs of their owners. The cases center around the controversy over
whether for-profit corporations must fully cover birth control in the
health insurance they provide for their employees. Two companies —
Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood — object to provisions in the
Affordable Care Act requiring companies to provide contraceptive
coverage in employees' health plans. The firms say they oppose birth
control mandates on religious grounds. The case could force a re-hashing
of the landmark Citizens United decision, which ruled companies have
freedom of expression rights that allow unlimited spending on political
campaigns. The court could now decide whether companies also have
religious freedom rights.

 

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