Dive Brief:
- The Supreme Court agreed last week to hear challenges from religious groups against the Affordable Care Act's mandate to cover birth control.
- Seven related cases, which object to a compromise previously offered by the Obama administration, will be heard together.
- The contraceptive requirement has been under attack from the beginning of the ACA, and was amended just a few months ago to allow not only religious employers to opt out, but also employers with moral objections.
Dive Insight:
The arguments center on the groups' objections to a compromise measure from 2013 that allowed them to get certified for an exemption and pass the tab for contraception on to their health plans.
The groups argue even though they don't pay for contraception under this arrangement, they are still being forced to authorize it, which they oppose. They say the compromise still infringes on their rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the First Amendment, and seek full exemption.
The Court is set to hear arguments in March and rule by the end of its term in June.