Agencies Request Comments on Proposed Exemption for Certain Religious Employers from providing Contraception Coverage

The U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking soliciting comments for proposed amendments to a recently-issued rule exempting certain religious employers from having to provide contraception coverage. Other non-exempt religious-affiliated employers?Çösuch as religious schools and hospitals?Çöthat provide health coverage to their employees have been given an additional year to comply with the requirement that their plans include contraception coverage. The proposed rule for which the agencies seek input will outline potential accommodations for non-exempt religious organizations while also ?Ç£ensuring contraceptive coverage for plan participants and beneficiaries covered under their plans (or, in the case of student health insurance plans, student enrollees and their dependents) without cost sharing.?Ç¥ A copy of the notice is available here.