Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Courts Rule On Religion And Health
CNN: Supreme Court Backs Religious Groups Against Covid-19 Restrictions In Colorado And New Jersey
The Supreme Court on Tuesday again sided with religious groups in Colorado and New Jersey that argued that the states' covid-related restrictions on worship services violated religious liberty rights, the latest in a string of rulings against pandemic guidelines in recent weeks. In unsigned orders, the justices wiped away lower court opinions in challenges that went in favor of the states: one brought by the Rev. Kevin Robinson and Rabbi Yisrael A. Knopfler in New Jersey and the other brought by a small Colorado church. (de Vogue, 12/15)
Las Vegas Review Journal: Nevada Church COVID Restrictions Reversed By Court
A Las Vegas church expects to invite nearly 200 people to services this week and Sunday, after a federal appeals court overturned Gov. Steve Sisolak’s statewide limits on gatherings at houses of worship. “This is a victory for churches in Nevada,” said the Rev. Jimmy Morales, senior pastor at Calvary Chapel Lone Mountain. “We’re excited that churches in Nevada have been set free to worship God freely.” (Ferrara, 12/15)
In news about abortion —
AP: Justices Asked Again To Reinstate Rule For Abortion Pill
The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court a second time to reinstate a rule that women must pick up an abortion pill in person during the COVID-19 pandemic. The request to the high court Tuesday comes just over a month before President Donald Trump leaves office. The rule has been on hold since July because of the pandemic and the new administration could suspend it during the public health emergency after Joe Biden takes office in January. (Sherman, 12/15)
Bloomberg: U.S. Asks High Court To Halt Mail Delivery Of Abortion Pills
The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate a requirement that women visit a medical facility to obtain abortion-inducing pills, seeking to lift a lower-court order that has allowed delivery by mail during the pandemic. The filing Tuesday renews a request the court temporarily rejected in October, when it was shorthanded after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The Supreme Court now has a stronger conservative majority with Justice Amy Coney Barrett having filled Ginsburg’s seat. (Stohr, 12/15)
AP: Massachusetts House Seeks To Overturn Baker's Abortion Steps
Massachusetts House lawmakers are planning to meet Wednesday to overturn Gov. Charlie Baker’s efforts to roll back some of their actions aimed at expanding access to abortion in the state. The Legislature’s measure — which was included in its version of the state budget — would let women obtain an abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy in cases of “fatal fetal anomalies.” Current state law allows abortions after 24 weeks only to preserve the life or health of the mother. (LeBlanc, 12/15)
