SAN FRANCISCO — A U.S. judge will hear arguments Friday over California’s attempt to block new rules by the Trump administration that would allow more employers to opt out of providing no-cost birth control to women. Judge Haywood Gilliam previously blocked an interim version of those rules — a decision that was upheld in December by an appeals court. At issue is a requirement under President Barack Obama’s health care law that birth control services be covered at no additional cost. The states argue that millions of women could lose free birth control services, forcing them to seek contraceptive care through state-run programs and leading to unintended pregnancies. Attorneys for California and the other states said in court documents the new rules were very similar to the interim measures.

Source: National Post January 11, 2019 06:22 UTC