Today is James Dobson's 78th birthday, but last week the Focus on the Family founder received an early gift: the latest (albeit temporary) victory against the Affordable Care Act's controversial contraception mandate.
While the mandate's fate is largely a question of how the U.S. Supreme Court will rule on one of the biggest cases of the year (Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Woods), lower courts continue to issue rulings on the nearly 100 related cases still working their way through 23 states.
On Thursday, a Colorado judge granted a preliminary injunction to Dobson's organization, Family Talk, preventing it from having to provide what it believes to be abortion-inducing drugs to its employees. Federal district judge Robert Blackburn concluded that Family Talk has a "substantial likelihood" of winning its legal challenge.
Dobson and Family Talk filed suit last year via the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which explained: "Dr. Dobson and Family Talk morally reject, as an abortion, the prevention of implantation of an early human embryo, and therefore they oppose the facilitation of 'contraceptives' that can cause such an effect."
If the court had not ruled in favor of Dobson, Family Talk would have faced $36,500 in fines per employee per year, reportedThe Denver Post.
ADF reports the contraception mandate is currently losing 56-7 in the court system. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty offers roughly the same tally in infographic form.
Becket also offers the below infographic on the pending Hobby Lobby case.
CT regularly reports on Dobson and Focus on the Family, including a 1999 cover story on Dobson's growing influence in America and how his organization refocused on thriving and surviving after his resignation. CT has also explored the many lawsuits against the Affordable Care Act, including how 180 evangelical ministries won their class-action lawsuit and how Hobby Lobby solidified its first "major victory."
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