Church gets another chance to challenge WA abortion coverage law

Cedar Park Assembly of God in Kirkland has been engaged in a protracted legal battle against Washington state's abortion coverage law since 2019. The church lost a key ruling in March when a federal appeals panel upheld the law, but the 9th U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals has now withdrawn that decision, indicating further review. Eighteen Republican-led states support the church's argument that the law violates its religious principles.

The church's attorney noted the panel's reversal suggests possible errors in the earlier ruling. Washington state maintains that its health insurance regulations comply with constitutional requirements, allowing employees to access abortion coverage without mandating it in every plan. The Reproductive Parity Act, passed by Democratic lawmakers in 2018, has been a focal point of the church's legal challenge. The state clarified that under this law, employers can offer plans that do not include abortion coverage if they provide alternative options. The case's outcome could have significant implications for religious organizations and healthcare coverage in the state.