Supreme Court to Hear New Contraception and Religion Case

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The Supreme Court on Friday (November 6) announced that it will take up a case this term on religious freedom and access to contraception. The case involves President Obama’s health care law, the Affordable Health Care Act, and its mandate of free insurance coverage for contraceptives. The government offered nonprofit groups like schools and hospitals affiliated with religious organizations an exemption from the contraception coverage requirement, asking the groups to fill out a form or write a letter in order to opt out. But some religious groups are challenging the accommodation under the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act, saying it is burdensome and violates their faith. Seven federal appeals courts have ruled for the government in challenges to the contraception accommodation, and one court ruled for the faith groups. The Supreme Court consolidated seven separate petitions, and the new case will be argued next year. Faith-based groups have filed many briefs on both sides of the issue, and they are expect to closely follow the case.

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