Case: Daniel Medford v. Sebelius

0:13-cv-01726 | U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Filed Date: July 2, 2013

Closed Date: 2015

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On July 2, 2013, owners of a for-profit company filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under 42 U.S.C. §1983, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, asked the court for an exception to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandate requiring employers to provide health insurance coverage of contraception. Specifically, the plai…

On July 2, 2013, owners of a for-profit company filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under 42 U.S.C. §1983, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, asked the court for an exception to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandate requiring employers to provide health insurance coverage of contraception. Specifically, the plaintiffs claimed that providing insurance coverage of contraception would violate the religious beliefs of the company's owners.

On September 11, 2013, United States District Court (Judge John R. Tunheim) granted the plaintiffs' unopposed motion for preliminary injunction and stayed the case. The court ordered the defendant not to enforce the ACA insurance mandate regarding contraception against the plaintiffs until 30 days after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled on either O'Brien v. U.S. Dep't of Health and Human Services, 894 F.Supp.2d 1149 (E.D. Mo. 2012) or Annex Medical, Inc. v. Sebelius, No. 12–2804 2013 WL 101927 (D. Minn. Jan. 8, 2013), both of which involved similar legal issues and the same defendant as this case.

On June 30, 2014, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., 134 S. Ct. 2751 (2014). In a 5-4 opinion by Justice Alito, the Court held that the HHS regulations imposing the contraceptive mandate violate RFRA, when applied to closely-held for-profit corporations. 

On October 24, 2014, counsel were directed to provide a joint status report regarding the appeals before the Eighth Circuit in the two aforementioned cases.

On November 7, 2014, the parties submitted a joint status report stating that they were engaged in negotiations that could lead to a stipulation regarding entry of judgment.

On November 14, 2014, in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Hobby Lobby, the parties stipulated and agreed that judgment would be entered in favor of the plaintiffs and against the defendants. The stipulation stated that plaintiffs intended to make a motion for attorneys' fees.

On November 19, 2014, the Court granted the stipulation. The plaintiffs' motion for attorneys' fees is not reflected in the docket, so the parties may have reached a negotiated settlement.

The case appears to be closed.

Summary Authors

Mallory Jones (10/16/2013)

Richard Jolly (4/5/2014)

Elizabeth Greiter (10/25/2017)

Related Cases

O'Brien v. HHS, Eastern District of Missouri (2012)

Annex Medical, Inc. v. Sebelius, District of Minnesota (2012)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13207522/parties/daniel-medford-kathleen-sebelius/


Judge(s)

Rau, Steven E. (Minnesota)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Dickey, James (Minnesota)

Kaardal, Erick G. (Minnesota)

Attorney for Defendant

Bildtsen, Ann M (Minnesota)

Humphreys, Bradley Philip (District of Columbia)

Judge(s)

Rau, Steven E. (Minnesota)

Tunheim, John R. (Minnesota)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

0:13-cv-01726

Docket [PACER]

Medford v. Sebelius

Jan. 12, 2015

Jan. 12, 2015

Docket
1

0:13-cv-01726

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

The QC Group, Inc. v. Sebelius

July 2, 2013

July 2, 2013

Complaint
16

0:13-cv-01726

Second Amended Preliminary Injunction

The QC Group, Inc. v. Sebelius

Sept. 11, 2013

Sept. 11, 2013

Order/Opinion
19

0:13-cv-01726

Stipulation for Entry of Judgment and Injunction in Favor of Plaintiffs and Stipulation for Fee Motion Briefing Schedule

The QC Group v. Burwell

Nov. 14, 2014

Nov. 14, 2014

Pleading / Motion / Brief
20

0:13-cv-01726

Order for Injunction and Judgment

Medford v. Sebelius

Nov. 19, 2014

Nov. 19, 2014

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13207522/daniel-medford-kathleen-sebelius/

Last updated Jan. 23, 2024, 3:10 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants. ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0864-3614914.) Filed by The QC Group Inc, David DeVowe, Daniel Medford. Filer requests summons issued. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (Kaardal, Erick) (Entered: 07/02/2013)

July 2, 2013

July 2, 2013

PACER
2

NOTICE of Appearance by Erick G Kaardal on behalf of David DeVowe, Daniel Medford, The QC Group Inc. (Kaardal, Erick) (Entered: 07/02/2013)

July 2, 2013

July 2, 2013

PACER
3

TEXT ONLY ENTRY: CLERK'S NOTICE OF INITIAL CASE ASSIGNMENT. Case assigned to Judge John R. Tunheim per Civil Master and referred to Magistrate Judge Steven E. Rau. Please use case number 13-cv-1726 JRT/SER. (jam) (Entered: 07/03/2013)

July 3, 2013

July 3, 2013

PACER
4

Summons Issued as to Seth D. Harris, Internal Revenue Service, Jacob Lew, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Treasury, Daniel I. Werfel. (jam) (Entered: 07/03/2013)

July 3, 2013

July 3, 2013

PACER
5

SUMMONS Returned Executed by David DeVowe, Daniel Medford, The QC Group Inc.. Seth D. Harris served on 7/10/2013, answer due 7/31/2013; Internal Revenue Service served on 7/10/2013, answer due 7/31/2013; Jacob Lew served on 7/10/2013, answer due 7/31/2013; Kathleen Sebelius served on 7/10/2013, answer due 7/31/2013; United States Department of Health and Human Services served on 7/10/2013, answer due 7/31/2013; United States Department of Labor served on 7/10/2013, answer due 7/31/2013; United States Department of Treasury served on 7/10/2013, answer due 7/31/2013; Daniel I. Werfel served on 7/10/2013, answer due 7/31/2013. (Kaardal, Erick) (Entered: 07/15/2013)

July 15, 2013

July 15, 2013

PACER
6

NOTICE of Appearance by Ann M Bildtsen on behalf of Seth D. Harris, Internal Revenue Service, Jacob Lew, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Treasury, Daniel I. Werfel. (Bildtsen, Ann) (Entered: 07/19/2013)

July 19, 2013

July 19, 2013

PACER
7

MOTION for Admission Pro Hac Vice for U.S. Government Attorney Bradley Humphreys by Seth D. Harris, Internal Revenue Service, Jacob Lew, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Treasury, Daniel I. Werfel. (Bildtsen, Ann) (Entered: 07/19/2013)

July 19, 2013

July 19, 2013

PACER
8

TEXT ONLY ENTRY: ORDER granting 7 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice of U.S. Government Attorney Bradley Philip Humphreys for Seth D. Harris,Internal Revenue Service,Jacob Lew,Kathleen Sebelius,United States Department of Health and Human Services,United States Department of Labor,United States Department of Treasury,Daniel I. Werfel.Approved by Magistrate Judge Steven E. Rau on 7/22/2013. (MAP) (Entered: 07/22/2013)

July 22, 2013

July 22, 2013

PACER
9

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and Stay by David DeVowe, Daniel Medford, The QC Group Inc.. (Kaardal, Erick) (Entered: 08/02/2013)

Aug. 2, 2013

Aug. 2, 2013

PACER
10

NOTICE OF HEARING ON MOTION 9 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and Stay : at date and time to be determined. (Kaardal, Erick) (Entered: 08/02/2013)

Aug. 2, 2013

Aug. 2, 2013

PACER
11

MEET and CONFER STATEMENT re 9 Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed by David DeVowe, Daniel Medford, The QC Group Inc.. (Kaardal, Erick) (Entered: 08/02/2013)

Aug. 2, 2013

Aug. 2, 2013

PACER
12

*TEXT ONLY ENTRY* Notice to Attorney regarding Dispositive Motions briefing schedule: All dispositive motions must comply with Local Rule 7.1(c). Responses to dispositive motions shall be filed with the Court on or before 21 days after the service of the supporting memorandum to the original motion. Replies to responsive briefs shall be filed 14 days after the service of the response to the dispositive motion. Upon the motion being fully briefed and filed, counsel for the moving party shall email Judge Tunheims chambers at Tunheim_Chambers@mnd.uscourts.gov to request a hearing date. Upon receiving from Judge Tunheims Courtroom Deputy a hearing date, time and location, the moving party shall file the amended notice of hearing at that time. (HAZ) (Entered: 08/05/2013)

Aug. 5, 2013

Aug. 5, 2013

PACER
13

NOTICE by Seth D. Harris, Internal Revenue Service, Jacob Lew, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Treasury, Daniel I. Werfel re 9 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and Stay of Non-Opposition (Humphreys, Bradley) (Entered: 08/12/2013)

Aug. 12, 2013

Aug. 12, 2013

RECAP
14

ORDER granting 9 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Signed by Judge John R. Tunheim on August 30, 2013. (HAZ) (Entered: 08/30/2013)

Aug. 30, 2013

Aug. 30, 2013

PACER
15

AMENDED ORDER granting 9 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and Stay filed by The QC Group Inc., David DeVowe, Daniel Medford. Signed by Judge John R. Tunheim on September 11, 2013. (HAZ) (Entered: 09/11/2013)

Sept. 11, 2013

Sept. 11, 2013

PACER
16

SECOND AMENDED ORDER granting 9 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and Stay filed by The QC Group Inc., David DeVowe, Daniel Medford. Signed by Judge John R. Tunheim on September 11, 2013. (HAZ) (Entered: 09/11/2013)

Sept. 11, 2013

Sept. 11, 2013

PACER
17

TEXT ONLY ENTRY: NOTICE to Attorney: Counsel are directed to provide a Joint Status Report to the Court within 15 days with an update regarding the appeals before the Eighth Circuit in O'Brien v. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, No. 12-3347 and Annex Medical, Inc. v. Sebelius, No. 13-1118.(HAZ) (Entered: 10/24/2014)

Oct. 24, 2014

Oct. 24, 2014

PACER
18

STATUS REPORT Joint Status Report by David DeVowe, Daniel Medford, The QC Group Inc.. (Dickey, James) (Entered: 11/07/2014)

Nov. 7, 2014

Nov. 7, 2014

PACER
19

STIPULATION for Entry of Judgment and Injunction in Favor of Plaintiffs and Stipulation for Fee Motion Briefing Schedule by David DeVowe, Daniel Medford, The QC Group Inc.. Jointly Signed by Sylvia M. Burwell, United States Department of Health and Human Service, Seth D. Harris, United States Department of Labor, Jacob Lew, United States Department of the Treasury, Daniel I. Werfel, and Internal Revenue Service. (Attachments: Attachment FILED IN ERROR # 1 Exhibit(s) 1, # 2 Exhibit(s) 2)(Kaardal, Erick) Modified on 11/17/2014 (las). (Entered: 11/14/2014)

1 Exhibit(s) 1

View on PACER

2 Exhibit(s) 2

View on PACER

Nov. 14, 2014

Nov. 14, 2014

RECAP
20

ORDER granting 19 Stipulation, filed by The QC Group Inc., David DeVowe, Daniel Medford. Signed by Judge John R. Tunheim on November 19, 2014. (HAZ) (Entered: 11/19/2014)

Nov. 19, 2014

Nov. 19, 2014

PACER
21

JUDGMENT (Attachments: # 1 Civil Notice - appeal)(las) (Entered: 11/20/2014)

Nov. 20, 2014

Nov. 20, 2014

PACER
22

STIPULATION for Extension of Time to File Plaintiffs' Motion for Attorneys' Fees and Costs by Seth D. Harris, Internal Revenue Service, Jacob Lew, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Treasury, Daniel I. Werfel. Jointly Signed by The QC Group, Inc., Daniel Medford, and David Devowe. (Humphreys, Bradley) (Entered: 12/30/2014)

Dec. 30, 2014

Dec. 30, 2014

PACER
23

ORDER granting 22 Stipulation, filed by United States Department of Treasury, Jacob Lew, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Seth D. Harris, United States Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, Daniel I. Werfel. Signed by Judge John R. Tunheim on January 9, 2015. (HAZ) (Entered: 01/12/2015)

Jan. 12, 2015

Jan. 12, 2015

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Minnesota

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Special Collection(s):

Contraception Insurance Mandate

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 2, 2013

Closing Date: 2015

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Christian owners of a for-profit corporation, who feel that providing insurance coverage for contraception conflicts with their religious beliefs.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Department of Health and Human Services, Federal

Department of Treasury, Federal

Department of Labor, Federal

Internal Revenue Service, Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Hospital/Health Department

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Religious Freedom Rest. Act/Religious Land Use and Inst. Persons Act (RFRA/RLUIPA)

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201

Constitutional Clause(s):

Free Exercise Clause

Establishment Clause

Equal Protection

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Issues

Reproductive rights:

Contraception

General:

Religious programs / policies

Discrimination-area:

Pay / Benefits

Discrimination-basis:

Religion discrimination

Type of Facility:

Non-government for-profit