The long saga of the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate — which requires that contraception be covered as part of private health plans — took another turn at the Supreme Court today. And the Court — which, don’t forget, is still divided 4-4 between liberals and conservatives — sent it back down to the appeals courts, essentially telling them to find a solution to this problem that the religiously-affiliated organizations in this case will find acceptable, practically begging them to be reasonable while doing everything it can to make sure their tender feelings aren’t hurt.
Tag: Affordable Care Act
Senate GOP on Track to Defund Planned Parenthood
Senate Republicans are sticking with their plans to use a budget procedure this week to repeal major portions of the Affordable Care Act, with a provision to defund Planned Parenthood, site of a deadly attack in Colorado on Friday.
Cervical cancer study says ACA Might Help Increase Early Detection
Recent numbers suggest that the Affordable Care Act may be responsible for an increase in cervical cancer detection. This, of course, could lead to more women receiving treatment for the condition; and that’s a great thing.
Ruling Sets Up New Review of Religious Objections to Contraceptive Mandate
A federal appeals court ruling Thursday could lead to a new Supreme Court test of the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate, examining whether the Obama administration has done enough to accommodate the objections of religiously affiliated nonprofit organizations such as universities, hospitals and charities.
Obama Administration Releases Final Contraception Mandate Rule
The Obama administration finalized new regulations Friday allowing some for-profit businesses to opt out of the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate, but it might not mean the end for the lawsuits percolating in courts nationwide over the controversial requirement.
Report: Women in Connecticut Denied Some Mandated Health Benefits
Women in Connecticut have been denied health insurance benefits in violation of the federal Affordable Care Act, according to a study by the National Women’s Law Center.
Federal Court Vehemently Rejects Latest Challenge to the Obamacare Contraceptive Mandate
On Monday, the Fifth Circuit—one of the most conservative appeals courts in the country—rejected a challenge to the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate in an opinion written by Judge Jerry E. Smith—one of the most conservative federal judges on the bench. The challenge, brought by nonprofit religious groups, claimed that the mandate violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) by forcing these groups to sign a form that would eventually allow their employees to access contraception.
Over-The-Counter Birth Control Could Be Huge For Women — With One Exception
In the wake of the Affordable Care Act contraception mandate, religious exemptions and the Hobby Lobby case, a new avenue for low-cost birth control emerged: over-the-counter pills at your local pharmacy. As it turns out, this may be the way to lower unintended pregnancies once and for all in the United States — or at least greatly reduce them. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco recently found that over-the-counter birth control pills could reduce unplanned pregnancies among low-income women by up to 25 percent.
D.C. Circuit Upholds Contraceptive Coverage Mandate
Last week, a unanimous three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit upheld the religious accommodation to the Affordable Care Act’s (“ACA”) contraceptive coverage mandate (Priests for Life v. HHS, D.C. Cir. No. 13-5368, Nov. 14, 2014). The court held that the accommodation set out by the Department of Labor (“DOL”) and Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) is a simple solution that does not impose a burden for purposes of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (“RFRA”).
12 Things Every Woman Should Know About IUDs
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are highly effective, long-lasting, and reversible forms of birth control, but were often overlooked because of their massive upfront costs. However, now that the Affordable Care Act offers no co-pay contraception, IUDs are quickly becoming the one of most popular choices out there. But are they for everyone? Here are 12 things you need to know about IUDs.