NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)–The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis gave religious groups a big win in their fight against the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate.
The court ruled Thursday to uphold an injunction against the mandate, in a case brought by Dordt College, of Sioux Center, Iowa, and Cornerstone University, of Grand Rapids, Mich. The schools say their religious beliefs forbid them from providing contraception to employees–as well as applying for accommodations excusing them from doing so.
Essentially, the schools argue that by asking to be excused, they’re facilitating coverage that they object to.
The court ruled in the schools’ favor, finding that there is a ‘less restrictive means’ of furthering the government’s interest in safeguarding public health.
Six other appeals courts have ruled that the contraception mandate is, in fact, constitutional. That raises the likelihood of the Supreme Court taking up the case to resolve the conflict.
It is not yet clear if or when the high court will decide to take up the case.