Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Judge Blocks Trump Birth Control Coverage Rule in 13 States
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
January 14, 2019

Share

OAKLAND — A U.S. judge in California on Sunday blocked Trump administration rules, which would allow more employers to opt out of providing women with no-cost birth control, from taking effect in 13 states and Washington, D.C.

“The law couldn’t be more clear — employers have no business interfering in women’s healthcare decisions.” — Attorney General Xavier Becerra
Judge Haywood Gilliam granted a request for a preliminary injunction by California, 12 other states and Washington, D.C. The plaintiffs sought to prevent the rules from taking effect as scheduled on Monday while a lawsuit against them moved forward.
But Gilliam limited the scope of the ruling to the plaintiffs, rejecting their request that he block the rules nationwide.
The changes would allow more employers, including publicly traded companies, to opt out of providing no-cost contraceptive coverage to women by claiming religious objections. Some private employers could also object on moral grounds.
California and the other states argue that women would be forced to turn to state-funded programs for birth control and experience unintended pregnancies.
“The law couldn’t be more clear — employers have no business interfering in women’s healthcare decisions,” California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement Sunday. “Today’s court ruling stops another attempt by the Trump Administration to trample on women’s access to basic reproductive care. It’s 2019, yet the Trump Administration is still trying to roll back women’s rights. Our coalition will continue to fight to ensure women have access to the reproductive healthcare they are guaranteed under the law.”

Substantial Number of Women Losing Birth Control Coverage

The U.S. Department of Justice said in court documents the rules “protect a narrow class of sincere religious and moral objectors from being forced to facilitate practices that conflict with their beliefs.”
At issue is a requirement under President Barack Obama’s health care law that birth control services be covered at no additional cost. Obama officials included exemptions for religious organizations. The Trump administration expanded those exemptions and added “moral convictions” as a basis to opt out of providing birth control services.
At a hearing on Friday, Gilliam said the changes would result in a “substantial number” of women losing birth control coverage, which would be a “massive policy shift.”
The judge previously blocked an interim version of the rules — a decision that was upheld in December by an appeals court.
The ruling affects California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Destiny Christine Brown

DON'T MISS

Three Missing Fresno Teens Found Safe After Nine Days

DON'T MISS

State Center Trustees Vote for Special Interest Giveaway Over Students: Opinion

DON'T MISS

Lakers Hold Off Rockets With 6 3-Pointers Apiece From Dorian Finney-Smith, Gabe Vincent

DON'T MISS

Athletics Bat Boy Stewart Thalblum Takes Down Drone in Left Field

DON'T MISS

Prosecutors Directed to Seek Death Penalty Against Luigi Mangione

DON'T MISS

NFL Postpones Tush Push Decision but Passes Other Rule Changes, AP Source Says

DON'T MISS

March Madness: It’s South Carolina vs. Texas and UCLA vs. UConn in Women’s Final Four

DON'T MISS

Kings County Authorities Recover Stolen Tractor. Suspect Faces Prop 36 Penalty

DON'T MISS

Americans Rate Canada, Japan Most Favorably. Israel Sparks Record Partisan Divide: Gallup

UP NEXT

Athletics Bat Boy Stewart Thalblum Takes Down Drone in Left Field

UP NEXT

NFL Postpones Tush Push Decision but Passes Other Rule Changes, AP Source Says

UP NEXT

March Madness: It’s South Carolina vs. Texas and UCLA vs. UConn in Women’s Final Four

UP NEXT

CA Snowpack Is Near-Average. What Does This Mean for Water Supplies?

UP NEXT

U.S. Bank Executive Terry Dolan Dies in Plane Crash Near Minneapolis

UP NEXT

California Gov. Newsom Says the Democratic Brand Is ‘Toxic’

UP NEXT

Silver Fire Grows to 1,250 Acres, Threatens Homes in Inyo County

UP NEXT

Sue or Hold Back? The University of California Does Both as It Faces Trump’s Wrath

UP NEXT

Top Vaccine Official Resigns From FDA, Criticizes RFK Jr. for Promoting Misinformation, Lies

UP NEXT

California Food Banks Brace for Funding Cuts, and Not Only From the Trump Administration

Lakers Hold Off Rockets With 6 3-Pointers Apiece From Dorian Finney-Smith, Gabe Vincent

2 hours ago

Athletics Bat Boy Stewart Thalblum Takes Down Drone in Left Field

2 hours ago

Prosecutors Directed to Seek Death Penalty Against Luigi Mangione

3 hours ago

NFL Postpones Tush Push Decision but Passes Other Rule Changes, AP Source Says

3 hours ago

March Madness: It’s South Carolina vs. Texas and UCLA vs. UConn in Women’s Final Four

3 hours ago

Kings County Authorities Recover Stolen Tractor. Suspect Faces Prop 36 Penalty

3 hours ago

Americans Rate Canada, Japan Most Favorably. Israel Sparks Record Partisan Divide: Gallup

3 hours ago

Flores Homers and Drives in 4 to Lead Giants Over Astros

3 hours ago

Voice of America Wins in Court, for Now, as Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Firing Staff

3 hours ago

Glasnow Pitches 5 Scoreless Innings and Dodgers Beat Winless Braves

3 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Destiny Christine Brown

April 1, 2025 Most Wanted Person of the Day Suspect Name: Destiny Christine Brown Suspects Date of Birth: August 13, 1990 Physical Descripti...

1 hour ago

Destiny Christine Brown is Valley Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted Person of the Day for April 1, 2025. (Valley Crimes Stoppers)
1 hour ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Destiny Christine Brown

Three Fresno teenagers reported missing on March 19, 2025, were found safe on Friday, March 28, 2025, after one called a parent to arrange their pickup. (Fresno PD)
1 hour ago

Three Missing Fresno Teens Found Safe After Nine Days

2 hours ago

State Center Trustees Vote for Special Interest Giveaway Over Students: Opinion

2 hours ago

Lakers Hold Off Rockets With 6 3-Pointers Apiece From Dorian Finney-Smith, Gabe Vincent

2 hours ago

Athletics Bat Boy Stewart Thalblum Takes Down Drone in Left Field

ARCHIVO - Luigi Mangione, acusado de matar al director general de UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, durante una audiencia en un tribunal de Nueva York, el 21 de febrero de 2025. (Steven Hirsch/New York Post vía AP, Pool, Archivo)
3 hours ago

Prosecutors Directed to Seek Death Penalty Against Luigi Mangione

3 hours ago

NFL Postpones Tush Push Decision but Passes Other Rule Changes, AP Source Says

3 hours ago

March Madness: It’s South Carolina vs. Texas and UCLA vs. UConn in Women’s Final Four

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend