5th Circuit Court Rejects Challenge To Birth Control Mandate

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NEW ORLEANS (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — A U.S. appeals court panel has ruled that certain provisions in the Affordable Care Act dealing with birth control don't violate the religious rights of faith-based groups under federal law.

A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans delivered its ruling Monday in the consolidation of several cases brought by Texas-based religious institutions, including universities and charities.

At issue was an accommodation in the federal health care law that allows religious groups to opt out of directly providing birth control coverage. The plaintiffs argued even seeking the accommodation was a violation of their rights.

But the panel ruled that because contraceptives are provided through a third party, their rights aren't violated.

Attorney Eric Rassbach, who represented two universities that were part of the lawsuit, told a Texas newspaper his clients will possibly appeal.

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