Texas Judge Says HIV Drug Mandate Violates Religious Freedom

[Nevilledog]

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philip lewis
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A federal judge in Texas ruled that a provision of the Affordable Care Act that mandates free coverage of groundbreaking drugs that prevent HIV infection violates the religious beliefs of a Christian-owned company.

news.bloomberglaw.com
Texas Judge Says HIV Drug Mandate Violates Religious Freedom (1)
A federal judge in Texas ruled that a provision of the Affordable Care Act that mandates free coverage of groundbreaking drugs that prevent HIV infection violates the religious beliefs of a Christi...
8:46 AM · Sep 7, 2022

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/judge-says-hiv-drug-coverage-violates-religious-freedom

A federal judge in Texas ruled that a provision of the Affordable Care Act that mandates free coverage of groundbreaking drugs that prevent HIV infection violates the religious beliefs of a Christian-owned company.

US District Judge Reed O’Connor in Fort Worth on Wednesday granted summary judgment to Braidwood Management Inc. in its challenge to coverage of Gilead Sciences Inc.’s Truvada and Descovy. The two pre-exposure prophylactic drugs, commonly known as PrEP, are taken daily by hundreds of thousands of Americans, particularly men who have sex with men.

O’Connor reserved deciding the “appropriate remedy” for the resolving the claim, and it’s unclear what impact the ruling will have beyond the plaintiff company, which employs about 70 people.

The judge, a George W. Bush appointee, also ruled the US Preventive Services Task Force, which recommended PrEP be added to the ACA’s list of covered preventive measures, was not constitutionally empowered to authorize the drug’s inclusion. O’Connor also reserved ruling on the appropriate remedy for dealing with the alleged violation.

The US Department of Health and Human Services, the defendant in the suit, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

*snip*



Insanity.

[Mad_Machine76]

1. This was coming down to the pike

I'm 99.9999999% sure that they shopped this Judge for this lawsuit.

[Nevilledog]

6. He's an extremist favorite

[bucolic_frolic]

2. The existence of Republicans violates my religious beliefs

I'm sure the judge is waiting to hear from me.

[Mad_Machine76]

3. +1000

We shouldn't have to pay for them!

[lindysalsagal]

4. Because nothing says "Pro-life" like "No HIV drugs for you, dude. Against MY religion"

Hateful religious bigots.

[dsc]

11. It gets worse

Mitchell seeks to block the entire preventive services mandate under the ACA, arguing it’s invalid because the government employees who manage the list have too much power to not be confirmed by the Senate. Depending on O’Connor’s remedy in the case, that could have a far-reaching impact nationwide, putting at risk requirements for no-cost access to other services, like care for pregnant women and infants.

[MagickMuffin]

5. Give me that old time religion so I can continue to prove I'm a hateful bigot

So much hate for life. Funny coming from those who proclaim to be “prolife”

And what about our right from religious bigotry, judge O’Conner?

[Nevilledog]

7. Pro-their-life

[Lovie777]

8. Please let this nightmare be over....

[atreides1]

9. Damn

Most of these conservative religious beliefs are made up, because being called a bigot or a racist isn't cool...and you'll likely not find them in the tenets of the religion they profess to have!!!

[Johonny]

10. Single payer insurance. This needs to be done

[Duppers]

19. 👍👏

[Buckeyeblue]

12. Does he explain in his opinion how this violates their religious freedom?

It seems like the only way you can violate someone's religious freedom would be by preventing them from practicing their religion. How does mandating insurance coverage do that? I just don't understand it.

By that rationale, any Jehova's Witness could say insurance that covers blood transfusions or organ transplants violates their religious freedom.

This list could go on and on.

But the problem is there is no real internal link between a list of items insurance covers and one's ability to practice their religion. None. It's illogical.

[Nevilledog]

16. Plaintiffs had argued that PrEP "encourages homosexual behavior."

Link to tweet

[Hermit-The-Prog]

13. Theocracy, hypocrisy, death cult -- the radicalized Republican party

Being forced to breathe air with Republicans violates my religious freedom.

Roe, Roe, Roe your vote
against theocracy!
Republicans revoke your rights
and kill democracy!

Donate to 38 House candidates: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100217067267
Stick 'em up for a blue wave: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100217078977

[Red Pest]

14. I am certainly confused by this ruling. How does allowing people to take a drug that protects them

from infection by HIV for no cost violate any person's freedom? This appears to be just another example of hateful right wing fundamentalist religious craziness. Whatever happened to: love your neighbor as yourself? Or even the easier aphorism from Hillel the Elder: “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the entire Torah, and the rest is commentary. Now go and study.”?

What is wrong with these people?

[sinkingfeeling]

15. Religion needs to get the f**k out of government.

[Autumn]

17. Insurance companies have religious rights? How so?

[Liberal In Texas]

18. Since the Supremes decided "corporations are people, my friend." n'/t

[broiles]

20. Why doesn't this corp. provide private insurance for it's workers

if it is so religiously offended by Obamacare?

[sarcasmo]

21. Evil on purpose, the GOP way.