Christian Employers Not Required to Cover Gender Transition

According to an HR online source, a federal court in North Dakota has held that EEOC and the DOL cannot force employers to violate their sincerely held beliefs to pay for or provide gender transition services or related support services. The Government held that Title VII and the PPACA prohibited the denial of such services, but the court determined that that position violated both the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. It further found that the EEOC and HHS “failed to show the mandates are the ‘only feasible means” to achieve a compelling government interest in protecting transgender patients’ right to access healthcare.’” We will have to see whether this goes any further.