Cert Filed and Stay Issued In Priests For Life Challenge To Contraceptive Coverage Accommodation

On June 9, a petition for certiorari (full text) was filed with the Supreme Court in Priests For Life v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  In the case, a 3-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit upheld the Obama administration's compromise for religious non-profits that object to furnishing contraceptive coverage under the Affordable Care Act.  The D.C. Circuit denied an en banc rehearing, but with 3 judges writing a dissent from the denial and 3 others responding. (See prior posting.)  Then on June 10, the D.C. Circuit issued an Order (full text) staying its decision pending final disposition of the case by the Supreme Court. In a June 10 press release, Priests For Life announced the stay and added: "no matter what happens, we will not obey the mandate, nor will we pay fines to the government."