Preliminary Injunction Allows Religious College To Exclude Certain Contraceptives From Student Health Plan, Pending Final Decision

As previously reported, a challenge to the Affordable Care Act contraceptive coverage mandate by religiously-sponsored Geneva College is pending in federal district court in Pennsylvania. Yesterday in Geneva College v. Sebelius, (WD PA, June 18, 2013) (opinion) (order), the court granted Geneva College a preliminary injunction pending a decision on the merits or a decision in a similar case by the 3rd Circuit or U.S. Supreme Court. The injunction allows the College to exclude from coverage in its student health insurance plan abortifacients to which it has religious objections. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Geneva College, which must choose a health plan by Thursday for the coming school year, would have opted for no insurance coverage for students instead of coverage that violates its religious tenets.