He ruled that it violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Northern Texas U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Connor issued a ruling that requiring a Christian-owned company to provide insurance that covers HIV-prevention drugs violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The case was brought forward by Texas-based company Braidwood Management, which argued that such a requirement “forces religious employers to provide coverage for drugs that facilitate and encourage homosexual behavior, prostitution, sexual promiscuity, and intravenous drug use.”
The judge also declared unconstitutional other preventive screening services coverages that were mandated to be offered at no charge. Judge O’Conner decided the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, as an independent panel of disease prevention medical professionals, violates the Appointments Clause of the Constitution since the president does not appoint them and their recommendations are outside the control of the U.S. health secretary.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For federal judges as they hear cases that bring constitutional challenges to laws or mandates.
- For the president and the health secretary as they support the expansion of health screening coverage.
- For the Lord’s will to be accomplished in the United States.
Sources: CNN, The Texas Tribune
