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.” |
Airbnb, Topgolf Callaway fall; AppLovin, Cheesecake Factory rise, Thursday, 5/9/20241 lawmaker stops South Carolina health care consolidation bill that had overwhelming supportJapanese game maker Sega Sammy sells resort to US fundSuns fire coach Frank Vogel after getting swept out of the playoffs in the opening roundUN to vote on resolution that would grant Palestine new rights and revive its UN membership bidTrump is limited in what he can say about his court case. His GOP allies are showing up to helpClosing prices for crude oil, gold and other commoditiesFor Israel’s contestant, the Eurovision Song Contest comes with tight security, boos and cheersResurfaced clip shows 21Lakers star Christian Wood's ex