OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on a hearing on California’s attempt to block new birth control rules by the Trump administration (all times local):
11:30 a.m.
A U.S. judge in California says new rules by the Trump administration would result in a substantial number of women losing birth control coverage.
Judge Haywood Gilliam made the comment Friday during a hearing in Oakland to decide whether to block the rules.
The changes set to go into effect on Monday would allow more employers, including publicly traded companies, to opt out of providing no-cost contraceptive coverage to women by claiming religious objections. Some private employers could also object on moral grounds.
The U.S. Department of Justice says the rules protect a small group of objectors from violating their beliefs.
California and other states argue that the changes would force women to turn to state-funded programs for birth control and lead to unintended pregnancies.
They want Gilliam to issue a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking the rules.
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10:30 p.m.
A U.S. judge will hear arguments over California’s attempt to block new rules by the Trump administration allowing more employers to claim religious objections to providing birth control benefits.
The rules set to go into effect on Monday. Judge Haywood Gilliam in Oakland has scheduled a hearing for Friday to determine whether he should issue a preliminary injunction temporarily stopping the rules.
The U.S. Department of Justice says the rules protect a small group of objectors from violating their beliefs.
California and other states argue that the changes would force women to turn to state-funded programs for birth control and lead to unintended pregnancies.
The Affordable Care Act requires birth control services be covered at no additional cost. There are exemptions for religious organizations.
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