Church groups to appeal ruling on mandated contraception coverage

Published: 2003-12-08

ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS) -- The battle over the Women's Health and Wellness Act, a New York State law that includes mandated contraception coverage by religious employers, will go to the New York State Court of Appeals, the state's highest court. On Nov. 25, acting State Supreme Court Judge Dan Lamont ruled that the law is not unconstitutional. Plaintiffs who have challenged the suit, including Catholic Charities of the Albany Diocese, immediately vowed to appeal. In addition to Catholic Charities, plaintiffs include the Catholic bishops of New York state, Temple Baptist Church in Halfmoon, First Bible Baptist Church in Rochester, Delta Development of Western New York in Buffalo and the Servants of Relief for Incurable Cancer in Hawthorne. The Women's Health and Wellness Act took effect Jan. 1, 2003. The only part of the law objected to -- on the grounds of religious freedom -- is the requirement that religious institutions provide contraception coverage for employees. Other aspects of the law, including coverage of mammograms, bone density tests and cervical cancer screenings, have been applauded by the church.

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