January 08, 2026
A Ninth Circuit panel that previously sided with Washington in a church's challenge to a state law mandating employer health coverage of abortion services voiced fresh concerns about both sides' positions when revisiting the case Thursday, roughly six months after rescinding the initial opinion without explanation.
July 29, 2025
A Ninth Circuit panel has walked back a published March opinion rejecting a Christian church's challenge to a Washington state law mandating employer health coverage of abortion services, saying in a Tuesday order that the federal appeals court would issue a new ruling following additional oral arguments.
August 15, 2024
A Ninth Circuit judge asked Thursday how a church could be harmed by a Washington law requiring employee health plans to cover abortions, since none of its workers had ever actually sought one, while another judge asked if tossing the case would slam the door on religious objections.
January 23, 2024
The state of Washington urged the Ninth Circuit on Monday to affirm a lower court's ruling in favor of a new state law requiring employee health plans to cover abortion services, arguing against a Washington church's appeal challenging the law on religious freedom grounds.
November 30, 2023
Almost two dozen red states and various religious freedom groups told the Ninth Circuit that a lower court ruling in favor of a Washington law requiring employee health plans to cover abortion services tramples over religious rights.