In a 2-1 decision, a U.S. appeals court rejected a suburban Seattle church’s challenge to a Washington state law requiring insurers to cover abortions in their maternity coverage plans. The Cedar Park Assembly of God of Kirkland argued that the law violated their religious rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The court ruled that the church lacked standing to bring the lawsuit as some insurers still offered plans that excluded abortion coverage. The church claimed it was being forced to fund abortions through its healthcare plan provided by Kaiser Permanente, and drew support from conservative entities including 18 U.S. states. The court’s majority opinion stated that the church was exempt from the law due to Washington’s conscientious objection statute, and dismissed the church’s claims that it would be harmed by increased premiums or its employees using abortion services. The church’s lawyer called the decision “shocking” and vowed to explore further legal options. The office of Washington Attorney General Nick Brown welcomed the ruling. The case did not reach the constitutional question of the church’s First Amendment challenge, but was dismissed on grounds of lack of standing. The court makeup included Democratic and Republican appointees. The church is located in Bothell, Washington, and the case is titled Cedar Park Assembly of God of Kirkland, Washington v Kreidler.
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