Filed Date: Sept. 17, 2012
Closed Date: 2013
Clearinghouse coding complete
On September 17, 2012, the College of the Ozarks filed a lawsuit in the Western District of Missouri against the Federal Government under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (42 U.S.C. § 2000bb), the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. § 706(2)), and the First and Fifth Amendments. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, sought to enjoin enforcement of provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) extending universal contraception coverage in employer-sponsored private health insurance coverage.
Specifically, the plaintiffs believed that the Contraceptive Mandate violated its sincerely-held religious beliefs by requiring that the College’s health insurance plan contain coverage or access to coverage for elective abortion services, certain FDA-approved abortifacient drugs, and related education and counseling. The Mandate exposed the College to substantial fines for the exercise of its religious beliefs. This violated the College’s rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Additionally, the plaintiffs alleged that the Mandate’s requirements compelled the College to operate in a manner contrary to its religious beliefs, thus violating the guarantee of free speech as set out in the First Amendment.
The plaintiffs sent a notice of voluntary dismissal on January 14, 2013. Judge Wimes thus ordered the dismissal without prejudice on January 16, 2013.
This case was likely closed due to a private settlement, but we don't have any further information.
Summary Authors
Wyatt Fore (4/5/2013)
Ginny Lee (4/10/2017)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4300644/parties/college-of-the-ozarks-v-united-states-department-of-health-and-human/
Wimes, Brian Curtis (Missouri)
Ankrom, Derek A. (Missouri)
Fry, Virginia L. (Missouri)
Gooch, Ginger K. (Missouri)
Wimes, Brian Curtis (Missouri)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4300644/college-of-the-ozarks-v-united-states-department-of-health-and-human/
Last updated March 17, 2024, 3:02 a.m.
State / Territory: Missouri
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Contraception Insurance Mandate
Key Dates
Filing Date: Sept. 17, 2012
Closing Date: 2013
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A Missouri Christian College, organized as a not-for-profit corporation.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
United States Department of Health and Human Services (Washington), Federal
United States Department of Labor (Washington), Federal
United States Department of Treasury (Washington), Federal
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Religious Freedom Rest. Act/Religious Land Use and Inst. Persons Act (RFRA/RLUIPA)
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Reproductive rights:
General:
Discrimination-basis: