The Affordable Care Act requires health insurance plans cover without cost sharing all FDA-approved contraceptive methods and sterilization procedures, including abortifacients, to women with reproductive capacity.
Certain groups and individuals hold the coverage mandate for abortifacients violates their religious beliefs regarding sanctity of life.
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies to the federal government & holds it responsible for protecting religious exercise, including from its own acts.
The government recognized the legitimacy of religious objection & created a temporary safe harbor before moving ahead.
Therefore, the government shall provide an exemption to any individual or entity who demonstrates a good-faith religious objection to the contraceptive rule.