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U.S. Supreme Court grants Wheaton College relief from contraceptive mandate

On the same day it ruled Hobby Lobby could reject funding birth control due to religious beliefs, the U.S. Supreme Court granted Wheaton College temporary relief from a mandate to provide contraceptives to female employees, according to a news release from The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

The court's decision to enter a temporary injunction with the college came Monday night, just hours before the college's insurance plan went into effect.

Without the temporary injunction, the college would have been forced to provide access to what college officials say are “abortion-causing drugs,” or pay severe fines starting Tuesday.

While churches and other houses of worship are exempt, religious colleges and universities such as Wheaton College are required to provide contraceptives to female employees under the Department of Health and Human Services' preventive service mandate.

Wheaton College filed a lawsuit in 2012 opposing the mandate, arguing it violates the institution's religious beliefs. However, according to the college website, the institution supports nine of the 10 preventive services required by the HHS mandate.

The temporary injunction prevents Wheaton College from having to pay fees while it waits for the government to respond to its request for a preliminary injunction. The court denied the request June 23 and the college has pursued an appeal.

Lawyers hope Hobby Lobby decision will help Wheaton College

Court carves exception Ruling: Objecting companies can reject funding birth control

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