Schools

U.S. Supreme Court Grants Wheaton College Injunction from Contraceptive Mandate


The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday granted Wheaton College atemporary injunction to avoid punitive fees under the federal health care law's contraception mandate, according to the Chicago Tribune. 

The Supreme Court on Monday also ruled 5-4 to allow Hobby Lobby not to cover certain birth control —Plan B, Ella, and two intrauterine devices — for its female employees. Plan B and Ella are "morning after pills," according to USA Today. 

The company and other supporters object to the IUDs and morning after pill "saying they cause abortions by blocking a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus," according to USA Today. 

IUDs and morning after pills also go against Wheaton College's religious principles as "some evangelical Christians equate it to abortion," according to the Chicago Tribune. 

Lori Windham, senior counsel at the Becket Fund, which is the public interest law firm representing Wheaton College, said the injunction shows the mandate "is on its last legs when it comes to religious non-profits," according to the Chicago Tribune. 

The college's insurance plan took affect Tuesday and without the injunction, the college would have to provide access to what officials refer to as "abortion-causing drugs" or face hefty fines,according to the Daily Herald. 

The HHS mandate exempts houses of worship and churches from providing contraceptive to female employees but does not cover religious college and universities, according to the Daily Herald. 

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The college filed a lawsuit in 2011 in opposition to the mandate, the Daily Herald reports. 

The temporary injunction for Wheaton College will be in place while the government responds to Wheaton’s application for an injunction pending appeal, accruing to a Becket Fund press release. 

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Do you agree with the injunction? Do you think Wheaton College should of should not have to provide all forms of contraceptives under the mandate? Tell us what you think in the comments. 


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