Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Christian School's Challenge To Contraceptive Coverage Mandate Dismissed On Ripeness Grounds

In Colorado Christian University v. Sebelius, (D CO, Jan. 7, 2012), a Colorado federal district court dismissed on ripeness grounds a challenge to the Affordable Care Act contraceptive coverage mandate brought by an interdenominational Christian college. Following most other courts that have ruled in similar cases, the court concluded that the case is not ripe for review because the government has begun the process of amending the mandate as it applies to religious non-profits such as Colorado Christian University, and has in the meantime created a temporary safe harbor to protect religious non-profits with conscience concerns from having the coverage requirement enforced against them. (See prior related posting.)  AP reports on the decision.