Court: Birth control mandate violates religious rights
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A federal judge has ruled in favor of a Missouri lawmaker who cited religious objections while challenging the inclusion of birth control coverage in his government-provided health insurance.
The ruling Thursday by U.S. District Judge Jean Hamilton addresses a section of President Barack Obama's health care law that requires insurers to include coverage of contraception.
State Sen. Paul Wieland and his wife, Teresa, who are Roman Catholics, filed a lawsuit asserting it violates their religious beliefs to include contraception coverage in their state health insurance plan.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}They cited the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which says government shall not "substantially burden" religious rights unless by the least restrictive means to further a compelling government interest.
The judge said the contraception coverage mandate violated that less-restrictive standard.