The Supreme Court Rules – Christian Owners Of Closely-Held Corporations Are Exempt From Providing Contraceptive Coverage To Employees

Posted by Donna Craig in Jun, 2014

On June 30, 2014 the United States Supreme Court issued a 5-4 ruling in the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby case, holding that a closely-held corporation cannot be required to provide contraceptive coverage to its employees.  The issue in the case was whether the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) allows a for-profit corporation to deny its employees contraceptives, for which employees would otherwise be entitled to under the Affordable Care Act, based on the religious objections of the corporation’s owners. Justice Alito issued the majority opinion, which was joined by the Chief Justice John Roberts, Jr., and Justices Scalia, Thomas and Kennedy.  Justice Ginsberg wrote a dissent which was joined by Justice Sotomayor, with separate dissents being issued by Justices Breyer and Kagan.

 In 2012 Hobby Lobby initiated the suit, alleging that requiring it to provide contraception in its employee health plans violated its religious freedom rights.  A preliminary injunction was granted to Hobby Lobby barring the federal government from enforcing the preventive services provision of the Affordable Care Act.  Prior to the Supreme Court hearing the case, the Hobby Lobby case was consolidated with Conestoga Wood Specialties Corporation, which was a secular for-profit corporation alleging the contraceptive mandate of the Affordable Care Act violated its Mennonite beliefs.