New Lawsuits Challenge Health Insurance Contraceptive Coverage Mandate

Politico reports that 12 new lawsuits were filed yesterday around the country by some 40 Catholic institutions challenging the Obama administration's mandate requiring contraceptive coverage in health insurance policies these institutions offer to their employees and, in the case of universities, to students.  Among the suits-- all coordinated by the Jones Day law firm-- is one filed in federal district court in Indiana by the University of Notre Dame. (Full text of complaint.) Commenting on the lawsuits (full text of statement), Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said:

We have tried negotiation with the Administration and legislation with the Congress – and we’ll keep at it – but there's still no fix. Time is running out, and our valuable ministries and fundamental rights hang in the balance, so we have to resort to the courts now.....