As Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula continues to challenge the HHS contraceptive mandate, on April 12, attorneys filed a supplemental brief at the United States Supreme Court on behalf of the Catholic college. The brief was in compliance with the high court’s request, made less than one week after it had heard the case’s oral arguments.
The court is questioning if there is some way for employees to receive contraceptives through their insurance provider without employers offering the contraceptives in their insurance package, thereby eliminating the moral dilemma.
“While we strongly disagree with the government’s policy on this matter, we are pleased that the court appears to be looking for a way to ensure that religious organizations do not have to be complicit in providing objectionable insurance coverage,” Dr. Michael McLean, president of Thomas Aquinas College, said in a press release. “The key point is that there are alternatives — and none of them require an objecting religious institution to be in any way part of the delivery method.”
Quincy Masteller, the general counsel for the college, said the Supreme Court’s request is unusual. However, he added, “[W]e are encouraged that the justices see the religious issue involved and the burden that the HHS mandate has put on the religious entities.”
The justices are expected to hand down their decision before the end of the court’s session in June.
