ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York can continue to require companies with health insurance plans to cover medically necessary abortions, the state’s highest court ruled Tuesday.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany and other religious groups argued that the rule violated their religious freedoms.
State financial regulators approved the policy in 2017. The state Legislature then separately codified the abortion coverage regulation into law in 2022. The religious groups sued over the regulation, not the law.
The Court of Appeals case had larger significance because the state’s law could be challenged using a similar legal argument, if the religious groups were successful.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, called the ruling a “critical step towards protecting these fundamental freedoms.”
In a statement, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany said it would appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“We believe this is unconstitutional since it involves government entanglement in the fundamental rights of free exercise of faith and conscience,” the statement read. “The final decision on constitutionality will be by the United States Supreme Court.”
Tagovailoa misses Dolphins' OTA day to attend Saban's charity golf tournament
It's the first drug shown to slow Alzheimer's. Why is is it off to a slow start?
China's development brings new opportunities for global growth
The bodies of 4 men and 2 women were found strangled, piled up in Mexican resort of Acapulco
China’s unemployment rate for youth aged 16
China's innovative drugs gain momentum in global expansion efforts
Israel hails 'success' after blocking unprecedented attack from Iran
What to stream: Lenny Kravitz, South Park, 'Dune: Part 2'
Interview: Popularity of Chinese NEVs soaring in Europe, says BYD's Dutch partner