Appeals court upholds requirement for health plans to cover abortion services

A state appeals court upheld a decision requiring insurers to include health insurance coverage for abortion in their plans.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany had filed a lawsuit against the requirement on grounds it conflicted with their religious beliefs.

The New York Court of Appeals sided with the state. 

“Today’s decision affirming abortion coverage must be included in insurance plans as outlined in state law is a win for all New Yorkers and for our most basic right to make decisions about our own bodies,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James, in a statement. “Abortion care is health care, and my office will always protect our state’s residents and ensure our laws are respected and upheld.”

The Albany Catholic Diocese said it will again ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.

“At stake is regulatory action by a state to require religious organizations to provide and pay for coverage of abortion in their employee health plans,” the diocese said in a statement. “We believe this is unconstitutional since it involves government entanglement in the fundamental rights of free exercise of faith and conscience. The final decision on constitutionality will be by the United States Supreme Court.”