Court Halts Enforcement of New Contraceptive Rules Nationwide

Further Legal Developments May Be Forthcoming

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has granted a nationwide preliminary injunction against two companion Interim Final Rules issued by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Treasury, and Labor that expanded religious and moral exemptions related to the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate, under which non-grandfathered group health plans are required to cover contraception coverage without cost-sharing.

Nationwide Preliminary Injunction Granted
On December 15, 2017, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania granted a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of the Interim Final Rules. The injunction prevents enforcement of the final rules on a nationwide basis. Further guidance and legal developments, however, may be forthcoming.

Employers with questions regarding the case’s impact on health care reform requirements should contact a knowledgeable employment law attorney.