Judge rules in favor of free birth control for employees

Joe Teehan

KGMIAP Photo/Pablo Martinez MonsivaisWIth the Supreme Court poised to deliver their verdict in a case that weighs the religious rights of employers and the right of women to the birth control of their choice, a demonstrator holds up a sign outside the courthouse in Washington, June 30, 2014.

1-14-2019

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A federal judge in California has blocked Trump Administration rules on no-cost birth control from taking effect in Washington and a dozen other states.

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.

The states argue that the rules would force more women to turn to state-funded programs for birth control and would cause more unintended pregnancies.