Supreme Court Won’t Hear Faith Groups’ Obamacare Cases

The Supreme Court declined on Monday to give preliminary review to two suits brought by Catholic nonprofit organizations challenging the Affordable Care Act’s mandate on contraceptive coverage, Reuters and The National Law Journal report.

The demurral means the cases will be decided by the U.S. appeals court in Washington, D.C., but they could come back before the Supreme Court, depending on the trial outcome. In December a federal district judge ruled against the plaintiffs, the archbishop of Washington and anti-abortion group Priests for Life.

The Obamacare law requires most employers that provide health insurance to offer coverage that includes contraceptive care. Specifically religious institutions such as churches are exempt. Other faith-based groups can opt out of paying for contraceptive services by signing a document asserting their objection so that a third party can provide the coverage. Numerous religious nonprofits have filed suit, maintaining the requirement to “self-certify” makes them complicit in violating their beliefs.

Courts across the country, including the Supreme Court, have granted injunctions to plaintiffs preventing the administration from enforcing the contraceptive rule while the litigation proceeds.