Appeals Court Blocks Trump Administration Birth Control Rule

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court affirmed a lower court ruling today preliminarily blocking final rules issued by the Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies that would have allowed employers and universities to deny their employees and students insurance coverage for contraception due to religious or moral objections. The decision by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals applies nationwide.

Louise Melling, ACLU deputy legal director, had this reaction:

“Yet another court has stopped this administration from sanctioning discrimination under the guise of religion or morality. The Trump administration’s rules authorized employers and universities to strip women of birth control coverage — a benefit guaranteed to them by law, and meant to advance their health and equality. We applaud the order to enjoin the enforcement of these discriminatory rules.”

This statement is online here: https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/appeals-court-blocks-trump-administration-brith-control-rule