A minor victory.
A federal judge here has sided with a Missouri state senator in his fight to opt out of family birth-control coverage through the state health insurance plan.
In a ruling Thursday, U.S. District Judge Jean C. Hamilton said the federal government cannot compel Sen. Paul Wieland, R-Imperial, and his wife to pay for group health insurance that includes contraception coverage they consider religiously objectionable. Paul and Teresa Wieland are Catholics and the parents of three daughters, ages 15 to 22.
The Wielands launched their opposition to the rule in 2013, when he was a member of the House. They argued that the contraceptive benefit required by the Affordable Care Act violates their religious beliefs.
“We’re excited,” Wieland said Friday. “We know the government probably won’t agree, but this is a victory along the way. The government is trying to force me to buy a product that I consider morally offensive.”
Nicole Navas, a spokeswoman for the Justice Department, said in a statement, “The department is reviewing the order and considering our options.”
Timothy Belz, a lawyer in Clayton who represents the Wielands, said Hamilton’s order technically applies only to his clients and the state insurance plan. But Belz said it had “larger implications” because other families with similar religious obligations could cite it.
“It has precedential value,” said Belz. “Other families can say, ‘Look, give me a contraceptive-free policy or I will go to court with the Wieland opinion.’ ”