Federal Judge In Missouri Says Individuals Can Challenge Health Law Contraception Mandate
The case was brought by a Missouri lawmaker who argued that birth control coverage in his state-provided health insurance violated his religious beliefs. In the ruling, U.S. District Judge Jean Hamilton says federal law requires that the government shall not "substantially burden" a person's exercise of religion. Also in health law news, Humana, which announced earlier that it is leaving many state insurance marketplaces, says it will continue to sell plans in Tennessee, and Covered California gets ready for a new rule requiring enrollees have a primary care provider.
The Associated Press:
Court: Birth Control Mandate Violates Religious Rights
A federal judge has ruled in favor of a Missouri lawmaker who cited religious objections while challenging the inclusion of birth control coverage in his government-provided health insurance. State Sen. Paul Wieland said Friday that the ruling, while applying only to his family, could serve as a guide for others seeking to challenge the application of a section of President Barack Obama's health care law that requires insurers to include coverage of contraceptives. (Lieb, 7/22)
The Tennessean:
Humana To Remain On Obamacare Exchange In Tennessee
Humana will offer health insurance over the federally run Obamacare exchange in 2017 in Tennessee, despite announcing it will leave nearly 90 percent of the areas in the United States where the company sells its plans. The Louisville-based insurer filed responses to questions regarding its rate request from Tennessee regulators on the same day it made public plans to discontinue selling some individual coverage as it struggles with losses. (Fletcher, 7/22)
California Healthline:
No Primary Care Doc? We’ll Get You One
Health insurers are gearing up to comply with a new Covered California rule that will require them next year to ensure that all enrollees have a primary care provider. The policy change for 2017 is part of a broader push by the exchange to improve the quality of care, even as it faces double-digit premium increases. (Bartolone, 7/25)
