Dive Brief:
- In a narrow 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that a closely-held company may be exempt from the ACA provision requiring that companies provide contraceptive coverage.
- Along with 48 other for-profit companies, Oklahoma-based Hobby Lobby Stores claimed that the requirement violated their religious freedom.
- The ruling represents the first time that for-profit companies can make claims under the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).
Dive Insight:
Justice Samuel Alito's majority opinion states that the ruling applies only to the birth control mandate. According to the court, companies will not necessarily succeed in making similar claims to other insurance requirements (e.g. vaccinations and drug transfusions).