Posted on 06/27/2013 11:15:01 AM PDT by gwjack
A federal appeals court in Denver has reversed a lower court's decision to deny Hobby Lobby Stores Inc.'s quest for an injunction against part of the Affordable Care Act that requires it to cover the cost of emergency contraceptives for some of its employees.
In a 168-page ruling issued Thursday, the appellate court sent Hobby Lobby case back to a lower court for further review.
The panel of nine appellate court judges who heard arguments in the case in May ruled unanimously that Hobby Lobby and its affiliated Christian bookstore chain Mardel have the right to sue over the Affordable Care Act.
The ruling is a blow to the federal government's argument that as for-profit corporations, the companies cannot claim that the health care law is a violation of constitutionally protected religious freedoms.
Five of the nine judges found that Hobby Lobby meets at least part of the legal standard to receive a temporary injunction against the health care law while its lawsuit is ongoing.
The other four judges said the company fully meets the legal standard and that the appellate court should order the lower court to grant the company an injunction.
Hobby Lobby's lawsuit will now head back to U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, which earlier ruled against Hobby Lobby's quest for relief from the health care law.
Beginning in July, the company faces fines of as much as $1.3 million a day for failing to comply with the health care law.
It kind of different. I have been reading posts for several years and didn’t think I had much to contribute but so far Im learning the ropes.
You’ll be great.:)
Means nothing until the Kings in Black Dresses (the “Supreme” Court) rules.
Just advancing the mice to the next round.
With Roberts compromised, I fear this will fail.
I wish there were an ad campaign on this. The government is arguing that we forfeit our rights when we engage in anything for profit.
Hi redgolum, I hope you are well.
While you may be correct about the Kings (and Queens, Ginsburg, Kagan, and Sotomayor — oh, and also Kennedy) I personally refuse to be so cynical.
In the matter of Hobby Lobby, it does mean something; it means $39 Million each and every month. The Green family has a temporary reprieve until it gets to the Supremes. I wish them the best in their efforts.
Gwjack
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