U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

Appeals Court Rejects Religious Health Care Act Challenges

A federal appeals court panel says some rules in the Affordable Care Act dealing with birth control do not violate religious rights under federal law.

The three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans delivered its ruling Monday in the consolidation of several cases brought by religious institutions, including religious universities, dioceses and charities.

The court ruled that the groups can be exempt from federal rules requiring them to offer employees birth control coverage by simply completing a form or informing the government of their objection and who administers their employee health plan.

Four other federal appeals courts have reached similar conclusions.

Attorney Eric Rassbach, who represented two universities that were part of the lawsuit, told the Houston Chronicle his clients will possibly appeal.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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