The ruling comes as the Supreme Court debates whether protections for LGBT individuals are protected from employment discrimination. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Transgender protections created under the Obama administration continue to be unraveled by the Trump administration. The latest: protections requiring insurers and providers to provide treatment regardless of sex or gender identity.
Opponents argued that the rule would force doctors to perform procedures and insurers to cover services they didn't agree with. On Tuesday, Judge Reed O'Connor–thrust in the spotlight last December for his ruling on the ACA–agreed. Judge O'Connor ruled that the regulation was a violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, passed in 1993 to protect religious freedom.
Related: Lawsuits pave the way for transgender insurance coverage
The current Department of Health and Human Services elected not to defend the rule.
The ruling, which will likely be appealed, comes as the Supreme Court debates whether protections for LGBT individuals are protected from employment discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
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Emily Payne
Emily Payne is director, content analytics for ALM's Business & Finance Markets and former managing editor for BenefitsPRO. A Wisconsin native, she has spent the past decade writing and editing for various athletic and fitness publications. She holds an English degree and Business certificate from the University of Wisconsin.
