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.” |
US restricts trade with companies tied to drones used by Russia, HouthisIsrael to open three humanitarian routes into GazaJapanese PM to US lawmakers: US does not have to confront global challenges aloneDeath toll rises in Taiwan's strongest earthquake in 25 yearsWater tank installation programme changing lives in the Far NorthSouth China Sea: US accuses China of 'risky' fighter jet interceptsChanges to tenancy laws to come into force next yearChina economy update: Evergrande shares plunge 70 per centUS defense chief denies genocide committed in GazaFew voters globally worried about climate change