10th Circuit Upholds Injunction Granted to Secular, For-Profit Corporation in Contraceptives Coverage Challenge

The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a preliminary injunction preventing enforcement against a secular, for-profit corporation of the Affordable Care Act?ÇÖs requirement that employer-provided group health plans must cover certain contraceptive drugs and services.?á The 10th Circuit relied on its prior decision in Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. v. Sebelius to conclude that the corporation here was a ?Ç£person?Ç¥ whose sincerely held religious beliefs would be substantially burdened by complying with this coverage requirement.?á Because a petition for review of the Hobby Lobby decision by the U.S. Supreme Court remains pending, the 10th Circuit remanded the case to the district court with instructions to abate further proceedings pending completion of the Supreme Court?ÇÖs review.?á Newland v. Sebelius, No. 12-1380 (10th Cir. Oct. 3, 2013).