This case, filed on February 23, 2012 in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, is one of a number of cases filed in various federal district courts across the county by Catholic organizations seeking injunctive and declaratory relief against the federal government. Plaintiffs claim their free exercise of religion and freedom of speech rights are being violated by the portion of the interim final regulations adopted to implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub. L. No. 111-148, 124 Stat. 119 (2010), as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Pub. L. No. 111-152, 124 Stat. 1029 (2010) ("the ACA") that would require them to cover contraception as part of their health insurance offerings.

On April 30, 2012, defendants moved to dismiss the complaint, arguing, among other things, that the regulations were in the process of being amended; that no part of the law had been enforced against any of the Plaintiffs; and that the Plaintiffs lacked standing.

On July 17, 2012, in a 45-page opinion, the Court, (Senior Judge Warren K. Urbom) granted the Motion to Dismiss without prejudice.

On September 14, 2012, the plaintiff appealed the decision to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. However, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the appeal on August 21, 2013.

Denise Heberle - 07/19/2012
Mallory Jones - 11/26/2013


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