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Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese seeks injunction on health care
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The Diocese of Pittsburgh today filed a request in U.S. District Court for injunctions exempting it from the Affordable Care Act, the controversial health insurance reform bill passed in 2010.
The diocese in May sued the federal agencies and officials charged with implementing the act, largely because of concerns that it might force the Roman Catholic institution's insurance to cover abortion-related drugs and services.
Today's motion for preliminary and permanent injunctions said that the diocese is putting together its 2014 budget and negotiating collective bargaining agreements, and is hamstrung in those efforts because it doesn't know what its healthcare benefit package will look like.
If compelled by the act to enter into insurance arrangements in "a manner inconsistent with its sincerely held religious beliefs," it could see donations and volunteerism plunge, the motion said.
The diocese wants a prompt hearing and quick trial on its lawsuit, it said.
The case is before U.S. District Judge Terrence F. McVerry.
First Published September 21, 2012 5:31 pm
