In a unanimous decision on Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered New York’s highest court to reconsider its ruling that upheld a state mandate requiring religious employers to include abortion coverage in their health insurance plans. The decision in Diocese of Albany v. Harris directs the New York Court of Appeals to review the case in light of the recent Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin ruling, which strengthened constitutional protections for religious organizations under the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause. The case was brought by a coalition of Catholic and Anglican groups arguing that the 2017 mandate violates their religious beliefs about the sanctity of life. The original law only exempted organizations that primarily serve and employ members of the same faith, leaving out ministries serving the broader public, such as shelters and food banks.
Attorney Lori Windham criticized New York’s narrow definition of religious freedom, saying even figures like Jesus or Mother Teresa wouldn’t qualify under the law. The Supreme Court’s order now requires New York courts to apply strict scrutiny, meaning the state must prove the mandate serves a compelling interest and is narrowly tailored to avoid infringing on religious freedom. Religious liberty advocates view the ruling as a strong rebuke of government overreach and a victory for faith-based organizations seeking to serve all without being forced to fund abortion coverage.
