Judge blocks Trump birth control coverage rules in 13 states

AP  |  Oakland (US) 

A U.S. in on Sunday blocked rules, which would allow more employers to opt out of providing women with no-cost birth control, from taking effect in 13 states and Washington, D.C.

granted a request for a preliminary injunction by California, 12 other states and Washington, D.C.

The plaintiffs sought to prevent the rules from taking effect as scheduled on Monday while a lawsuit against them moved forward.

But the scope of the ruling to the plaintiffs, rejecting their request that he block the rules nationwide.

The changes would allow more employers, including publicly traded companies, to opt out of providing no-cost contraceptive coverage to women by claiming religious objections. Some private employers could also object on moral grounds.

and the other states argue that women would be forced to turn to state-funded programs for birth control and experience unintended pregnancies.

"The law couldn't be more clear employers have no business interfering in women's healthcare decisions," said in a statement Sunday.

"Today's court ruling stops another attempt by the to trample on women's access to basic reproductive care. It's 2019, yet the is still trying to roll back women's rights. Our coalition will continue to fight to ensure women have access to the they are guaranteed under the law."

The said in court documents the rules "protect a narrow class of sincere religious and moral objectors from being forced to facilitate practices that conflict with their beliefs."

At issue is a requirement under Barack Obama's that be covered at no additional cost. Obama officials included exemptions for religious organizations.

The Trump administration expanded those exemptions and added "moral convictions" as a basis to opt out of providing

At a hearing on Friday, Gilliam said the changes would result in a "substantial number" of women losing birth control coverage, which would be a "massive policy shift."

The previously blocked an interim version of the rules a decision that was upheld in December by an appeals court.

The ruling affects California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Mon, January 14 2019. 06:55 IST