Churches Sue In Challenge To California Mandate For Health Insurance Abortion Coverage

In California yesterday, three churches filed  suit against the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) to prevent enforcement against those who object on religious grounds of a requirement that most health insurance policies issued in California provide coverage for abortions.  The complaint (full text) in Foothill Church v. Rouillard, (ED CA, filed 10/16/2015) focuses on a letter (full text) sent to insurance companies last year reminding them that

the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 ... requires the provision of basic health care services and the California Constitution prohibits health plans from discriminating against women who choose to terminate a pregnancy. Thus, all health plans must treat maternity services and legal abortion neutrally.

ADF issued a press release announcing the filing of the lawsuit and tracing prior administrative complaints about DMHC's action.