Supreme Court in favor of Hobby Lobby
The National Journal Reports:
Obamacare's contraception mandate infringes on religious liberty and must be waived for some business owners, the Supreme Court said in a 5-4 ruling Monday.
Certain employers cannot be forced to include contraception in their health care plans if doing so would violate their religious beliefs, the Court said. The justices did not strike down the birth-control mandate altogether, but their decision will weaken the policy's reach.
Writing for the majority, Justice Samuel Alito said the decision applied only to closely held corporations, like the two firms that filed this challenge.
The challenge to the contraception mandate was filed by two for-profit companies-Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties-whose owners object on religious grounds to some forms of birth control.
The broader prevention mandate still stands, and contraception is still part of it. The Court's ruling only means that companies must be able to seek an exemption from the coverage requirement on religious grounds.
Read more...
http://www.nationaljournal.com/health-care/scotus-sides-with-hobby-lobby-to-weaken-obamacare-mandate-20140630
