On October 16, 2001, a female employee filed suit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act against Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. in United States District Court in the Northern District of Georgia. The plaintiff, represented by private counsel, alleged that Wal-Mart's policy of denying its employees health insurance coverage for prescription contraceptives discriminates against women. The plaintiff sought a declaratory judgment that the defendant's exclusion of coverage for prescription contraceptives violates Title VII, an order requiring defendant to provide comprehensive health insurance coverage for prescription contraceptives, and monetary damages for the individual class members.

On August 23, 2002, the district court (Judge Carnes) partially granted plaintiff's Motion for Class Certification. The provisional class included all female employees of Wal-Mart nationwide who were covered, or had been covered, by Wal-Mart's health insurance plan at any time after March 8, 2001, and who used prescription contraceptives during the relevant time period.

On Dec 8, 2006, the plaintiff submitted a motion for voluntary dismissal on the grounds that Wal-Mart had changed its health insurance so as to cover prescription contraceptives, though not as part of any settlement agreement. On December 20, 2006, the district court (Judge Carnes) granted that motion. The case officially closed on January 2, 2007.

Michael Perry - 07/31/2010


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