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.”
Victims of UK's infected blood scandal to receive final compensation payments
Xi Calls on National Art Museum of China to Build Worldwide Prestige
Xi Calls on National Art Museum of China to Build Worldwide Prestige
Tulips make rural economy flourish in E China's village
The bodies of 4 men and 2 women were found strangled, piled up in Mexican resort of Acapulco
Xi Replies to Letter from Bangladeshi Child Alifa Chin
Peng Liyuan Meets with DRC's First Lady
China sees holiday trips rise 70% to 274 million
Biden to release 1 million barrels of gasoline in bid to lower prices at pump
Rural living gains popularity among Chinese urbanites
Trump says he is open to restrictions on contraception before backing away from the statement
Rural living gains popularity among Chinese urbanites