The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, enforced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), prohibited a federally funded health program from denying benefits to an individual based on Title IX.
The second federal mandate, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, bars sex-based discrimination, and per a 2020 Supreme Court decision, also bans discrimination based on “gender identity.”
However, the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) prevents the government from “substantially burden[ing]” a person’s religious exercise “unless imposing such a burden is the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling government interest.”
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) argued on behalf of CEA in court. The nonprofit legal organization defends religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.
ADF argued in the lawsuit that the EEOC misinterpreted Title VII to compel religious employers to provide health insurance coverage for “gender transition” surgeries. The lawsuit also challenged the HHS’ reinterpretation of sex in federal law to include gender identity.
“The court was on firm ground to stop the administration from enforcing these unlawful mandates that disrespect people of faith,” Matt Bowman, senior counsel and director of Regulatory Practice at ADF, said of the verdict.
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