Obama Asks Judge To Dismiss Mich Christian School Suit Against Contraception
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa (AP) — The Obama administration is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Christian colleges in Iowa and Michigan over a mandate requiring health insurance plans to provide birth control coverage.
The Justice Department said in a filing last week the legal challenge by Dordt College and Cornerstone University is meritless and an attempt to prevent their female employees from obtaining coverage.
Dordt spokeswoman Sonya Knauss disputed that allegation, saying the college already covers most forms of birth control.
Sioux Center, Iowa-based Dordt and Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Cornerstone argue that the mandate requiring insurance plans to cover birth control coverage violates their religious freedom since many Christians oppose its use.
The Obama administration says the mandate accommodates religious-based employers by requiring third-party administrators to provide and pay for that coverage.
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