The Supreme Court has ordered New York to reconsider a case concerning an abortion mandate. This decision comes after a win for religious liberty in a related case. The original case, initiated in 2017, involved religious groups challenging a New York state mandate. The mandate required employers to include abortion coverage in their health insurance plans, which the groups argued violated their beliefs.
17 days ago
The Supreme Court has directed the New York Court of Appeals to reconsider Diocese of Albany v. Harris, a legal challenge against a 2017 New York state mandate 1. This mandate requires employers to include abortion coverage in their health insurance plans 1. A coalition of religious organizations initiated the lawsuit in 2017, asserting that the mandate compels them to violate their religious beliefs regarding the sanctity of life by funding abortions 1. The mandate stipulates that employer health plans must cover "medically necessary" abortions 1.
The Supreme Court's order is a direct response to its recent unanimous decision in Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor and Industry Review Commission 1. This prior ruling reinforced First Amendment protections for religious organizations 1. In the Wisconsin case, the Supreme Court found that denying a tax exemption to Catholic Charities for serving all without proselytizing was a violation of the First Amendment 1. The Supreme Court previously reversed lower court rulings in this case in 2021, citing Fulton v. City of Philadelphia 1.
Religious groups argue that the New York mandate infringes upon their deeply held religious beliefs 1. They contend that being forced to fund abortions constitutes a violation of their conscience and could result in substantial fines or the elimination of employee health plans 1. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has defended the mandate, asserting that it is essential for women's health care 1. She has characterized those challenging the mandate as "extremists" 1.
This case is similar to the Little Sisters of the Poor’s legal battle against the 2011 federal contraceptive mandate 1. In that case, the Supreme Court ruled that religious groups should not be forced to facilitate practices that contradict their beliefs 1. Eric Baxter, Becket’s vice president, stated that the Supreme Court has made it clear that such tactics have no place in law 1. Noel J. Francisco of Jones Day added that religious groups should not be forced to provide insurance coverage that violates their beliefs 1.
The Church defends religious freedom regarding the sanctity of life.
The Catholic Church defends religious freedom as a fundamental human right grounded in the dignity of the human person . This right is closely linked to the sanctity of life, as the ability to seek truth and live according to one's beliefs is essential for human flourishing and the common good .
In summary, the Church defends religious freedom as an essential aspect of human dignity, closely connected to the sanctity of life. This freedom allows individuals and communities to seek truth, live according to their beliefs, and contribute to the common good, while also respecting the rights and freedoms of others .