Missouri senator, wife win contraceptive insurance suit
In a ruling Thursday, U.S. District Judge
The Wielands launched their opposition to the rule in 2013, when he was a member of the House. They argued that the contraceptive benefit required by the Affordable Care Act violates their religious beliefs.
"We're excited," Wieland said Friday. "We know the government probably won't agree, but this is a victory along the way. The government is trying to force me to buy a product that I consider morally offensive."
"It has precedential value," said Belz. "Other families can say, 'Look, give me a contraceptive-free policy or I will go to court with the Wieland opinion.'"
Belz is handling the case for the
The Affordable Care Act requires most employers with more than 50 full-time workers to provide insurance coverage that includes access to contraception. The Wielands cited the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993.
They also pointed to the
Federal lawyers argued that the mandate was not a "substantial burden" on the Wielands because they simply could decline to use it, and that the mandate applies to health plans, not an individual family. But Hamilton wrote the argument would mean the Wielands "must either maintain a health insurance plan that includes contraceptive coverage, in violation of their sincerely held religious believes, or they can forgo healthcare altogether ..."
Wieland said he would continue to keep his family in the health plan provided for legislators. He said Catholic priests had assured him that, "As long as I am fighting this, I'm not in error spiritually."
@KurtEricksonPD on Twitter
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