US Edition
US judge blocks Trump religious exemption to birth control coverage
A federal judge found the Trump-era contraceptive exemptions arbitrary and vacated them, affecting tens of thousands of religious employers who sought relief from coverage mandates.
- U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone in Philadelphia struck down the 2018 religious exemptions to the ACA's contraception mandate on August 14, 2025, calling them `arbitrary and capricious`.
- Fourteen years ago, the Department of Health and Human Services enacted the ACA contraception mandate, allowing exemptions for religious or moral employers, which the Trump administration expanded in 2018.
- Beetlestone on Wednesday noted a mismatch between the exemption’s vast scope and the small number of affected employers, criticizing publicly traded companies and the Hobby Lobby precedent.
- The court vacated the exemptions in their entirety, potentially forcing groups like the Little Sisters of the Poor into compliance or fines, and they will appeal in the coming weeks.
- The Biden administration proposed new rules in 2023 to preserve some religious exemptions with an `individual contraceptive arrangement` but withdrew that proposal weeks before Biden left office, and critics warn that allowing district courts to override Supreme Court precedent could spur endless legal challenges.
18 Articles
18 Articles
District court rules against Little Sisters of the Poor, Trump administration religious exemption
A federal district court in Philadelphia ruled against the Trump administration's religious exemption rule and Little Sisters of the Poor contraceptive fight.
Federal court sides against Trump admin's conscience protections for Little Sisters of the Poor
The Little Sisters of the Poor are not exempt from providing contraception to staff, a federal court ruled Aug. 13, blocking conscience protections set in place… The post Federal court sides against Trump admin’s conscience protections for Little Sisters of the Poor appeared first on CatholicVote org.
Federal Court Rules the Little Sisters of the Poor Must Cover Contraceptives, Despite Previous Supreme Court Rulings
The order of Catholic nuns vows to appeal the ruling and ‘continue to fight for the right to carry out our mission without violating our faith.’
District Judge Says Religious Organizations Must Cover Employees’ Contraception Under ACA
A U.S. district court has overturned the 2017 rule granting broad religious exemptions from the ACA’s contraception mandate, potentially forcing groups like the Little Sisters of the Poor back into years-long legal battles.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
