Trump’s Rules Easing Health Law’s Contraception Mandate Blocked In 13 States And D.C.
Judge Haywood Gilliam limited the scope of the ruling to the plaintiffs, led in part by California, rejecting their request that he block the rules nationwide. The changes would have allowed more employers to opt out of providing no-cost contraceptive coverage to women by claiming religious objections.
The Associated Press:
Judge Blocks Trump Birth Control Coverage Rules In 13 States
A U.S. judge in California on Sunday blocked Trump administration rules, which would allow more employers to opt out of providing women with no-cost birth control, from taking effect in 13 states and Washington, D.C. Judge Haywood Gilliam granted a request for a preliminary injunction by California, 12 other states and Washington, D.C. The plaintiffs sought to prevent the rules from taking effect as scheduled on Monday while a lawsuit against them moved forward. (1/13)
The New York Times:
Judge Blocks Trump’s Attempt To Roll Back Birth Control Mandate
The plaintiffs, he wrote, had done enough to bolster their claim that the religious exemption and the moral exemption sought by the Trump administration were “not in accordance with” the Affordable Care Act. After Judge Gilliam blocked the initial rules, the Trump administration appealed. Last month the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the District Court’s ruling but limited the injunction’s scope. With that ruling in mind, Judge Gilliam made clear that the preliminary injunction he granted on Sunday bars enforcement in only the states that sued. (Stevens, 1/14)
Politico:
Judge Freezes Trump Administration Contraception Rule
The new rules mark the Trump administration's second attempt to narrow the Obamacare-related requirement that employers must provide FDA-approved contraception in the employee health plan at no cost. The first attempt was halted in 2017 after courts found the administration tried to make the change without giving the public the opportunity to weigh in. Houses of worship and closely-held private companies with religious objections are currently exempted from the birth control coverage mandate; the Trump administration is seeking to make the exemptions much broader. (Ollstein and Colliver, 1/13)
NPR:
Judge Blocks Trump Birth Control Policy In 13 States And D.C
"The law couldn't be clearer — employers have no business interfering in women's healthcare decisions," California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement applauding the ruling. "Today's court ruling stops another attempt by the Trump Administration to trample on women's access to basic reproductive care." (Schwartz, 1/14)