Judge rejects contraception suit filed by 7 states

Associated Press ^ | Jul 17, 2012, 7:34 PM EDT | GRANT SCHULTE

[Hunton Peck]

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Seven attorneys general trying to block the federal health care law's requirement for contraception coverage saw their lawsuit dismissed Tuesday by a federal judge who said they didn't have standing to file it.

U.S. District Court Judge Warren K. Urbom ruled that the states failed to prove they would suffer immediate harm once that part of the law is enacted. The Nebraska federal judge also noted that President Barack Obama's administration has agreed to work with religious groups to try to address their concerns.

The lawsuit was challenging a rule in the law that requires contraception coverage in health care plans - including for employees of church-affiliated hospitals, schools and outreach programs. The suit argued that the rule violated the rights of employers that object to the use of contraceptives, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs.

The lawsuit was filed by Republican attorneys general from Nebraska, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. Plaintiffs also included three Nebraska-based employers affiliated with the Catholic Church, a nun and a missionary.

"Today's decision completely disregards the federal government's continued shell game when it comes to this rule," Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, who was leading the case, said in a statement. "Essentially, this decision asks millions of Americans to watch and wait for their religious liberties to be violated."

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt said he planned to talk to his colleagues in other states about an appeal.

"This was not a ruling on whether the religious mandate is a violation of the First Amendment, but merely a decision on whether the plaintiffs can file a lawsuit at this time," he said in a statement. "The violations need to be heard and the federal government held accountable."

The U.S. Justice Department had urged the judge to dismiss the lawsuit.

[Hunton Peck]

Nixon appointee.

[Venturer]

The same excuse they used to let Obama become and stay President.

No one has standing.

The law has become a “Standing” joke.

Justice means nothing in this counry any longer.

[Tau Food]

The law has become a “Standing” joke.

Very good! The quote of the day!

[Marathoner]

I swear, if I ever get another dog, I’m going to teach him to read, then give him a list of federal judges to bite.

[FoxInSocks]

The Nebraska federal judge also noted that President Barack Obama's administration has agreed to work with religious groups to try to address their concerns.

And we're all very familiar with how obama "works with" groups he disagrees with, his childish impetulance, and nasty tactics.

[newzjunkey]

Nixon appointed and 87 years old. Amazing.

I hope they appeal. This notion that things stand unchallenged because no person or entity has standing has become corrosive to justice.

[Tzimisce]

The law only works for rich, powerful liberal special interest groups anymore. :(:(:(:(:(

[hal ogen]

On the plus side, the pinhead judge is 87...brain apparently misfiring and soon to go?

[hal ogen]

On the plus side, the pinhead judge is 87...brain apparently misfiring and soon to go?

[SuziQ]

The Nebraska federal judge also noted that President Barack Obama's administration has agreed to work with religious groups to try to address their concerns.

The Judge obviously hasn't been paying attention. There was no 'working with religious groups' by the Obama administration. The HHS mandate stands exactly as it did before the Bishops started fighting back.