US Justice Blocks Implementation of ACA Contraceptive Mandate

theodp writes "First approved for contraceptive use in the U.S. in 1960, 'The Pill' is currently used by more than 100 million women worldwide and by almost 12 million women in the U.S. But just hours before the Affordable Care Act was to go into effect, Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a stay temporarily blocking a mandate requiring health insurance coverage of birth control, and gave the Obama administration until Friday to respond to the Supreme Court on the matter. Sotomayor's order applies to a group of nuns, the Little Sisters of the Poor, and other Roman Catholic nonprofit groups that use the same health plan, known as the Christian Brothers Employee Benefit Trust (PDF). The group is one of many challenging the federal requirement for contraceptive coverage, but a decision on the merits of that case by the full Supreme Court could have broader implications. One imagines Melinda Gates is none too pleased. So, will U.S. health care require a Department of Personal Belief Exemptions that are dictated by employers (PDF, 'The Trustees of CBEBT and the management of Christian Brothers Services are dedicated to protecting the employers participating in the CBEBT from having to face the choice of violating their faith or violating the law')?"

Comments

Re:Fuck religion.

[Immerman]

Because heaven forbid nuns may wish to pursue sexual encounters in a mature and responsible manner, while priests are satisfied abusing altar boys.

Re:This is the problem with religious people.

[Anonymous Coward]

You complain about a company "forcing" it's beliefs on others, all while trying to force yours on them.

It's not about a religious group wanting to deny people contraception, it's about them not wanting to be forced to pay for things they think are wrong. Their employees are still free to go out and get contraceptives, the church/religious entity just doesn't have to foot the bill.

Why is that so hard to understand?

Re:Fuck religion.

[DarkOx]

Oh you mean after once side they used a bunch parliamentary tricks to limit debate, ultimately abusing budget reconciliation to prevent amendments to the bill, that democratic process?

Face it the leftists did everything they possibly could within the rules to ram the thing thru because that was the only way it was getting through. They completely violated the spirit of how the legislature has traditionally worked and was intended to work; so they could oppress the minority.

Now they cry cordial triers whenever the other side uses the same dirity pool to try and tie stuff to the debt ceiling or the budget. Anyone who voted for the ACA ( at least in the House ) and now complains or accuses the other side of hostage taking etc on these budget issues is a fucking hypocrite; as is anyone else who supports it remaining enforce given how it was done.

Basically anything that successful undermines this crock of shit legislation in anyway is a victory for the concept of minority rights with majority rule. Anytime Obama wins on this issue is just Tyranny of the majority.