THE POWER OF ASSOCIATION
UNITED TO:
Protect the conscience rights of Catholic employers
Optimize the Catholic employment experience
Provide access to cost effective Catholic benefits
Securing our first, most sacred right.
The Catholic Benefits Association has secured civil liberties protections for more Catholic employers than any other organization of its kind. Our legal advocacy on behalf of our members has resulted in several significant wins for religious liberty and in defense of conscience.
Federal Litigation
CBA vs HHS: Affordable Care Act Contraceptive Mandate (Lawsuit #1)
Case Start Date: March 12, 2014
Deciding Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
CBA Role: Plaintiff
Case Summary: The Catholic Benefits Association, along with several CBA members, filed suit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, along with a motion for preliminary injunction seeking relief for all CBA members, their insurers, and their third party administrators from the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive/abortifacient mandate.
Status: Permanent injunction and vacation of $6 billion in accumulated fines for all CBA members and future members, along with their respective group insurers, and third party administrators; HHS required to pay CBA’s legal fees; CBA passes HHS’ payment along to CBA members.
CBA vs HHS: Affordable Care Act Contraceptive Mandate (Lawsuit #2)
Case Start Date: July 1, 2014
Deciding Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
CBA Role: Plaintiff
Case Summary: When the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma refused to provide injunction for those that joined the CBA after it won its first permanent injunction, the CBA filed a second lawsuit on July 1, 2014, seeking emergency injunctive relief for Catholic employers that joined the CBA after the Court’s June 4, 2014, preliminary injunction. Later that day, the Court granted the Association’s motion, extending relief to the Association’s newest members “consistent with the Order issued on June 4, 2014.” The court’s temporary restraining order continued until the Court granted the CBA’s motion for preliminary injunction on December 29, 2014.
Status: Permanent injunction and vacation of $6 billion in accumulated fines for all CBA members and future members, along with their respective group insurers, and third party administrators; HHS required to pay CBA’s legal fees; CBA passes HHS’ payment along to CBA members.
CBA v. HHS & EEOC: Transgender Services Mandate
Case start date: December 28, 2016
Deciding court: U.S. District Court District Of North Dakota
CBA role: Plaintiff
Case Summary: The Catholic Benefits Association and its members, the Catholic Medical Association, the Diocese of Fargo, and Catholic Charities North Dakota filed suit challenging federal rules derived from the anti-discrimination provision in the Affordable Care Act that: (a) requires healthcare professionals to perform or refer for gender transition procedures; (b) requires healthcare facilities and professionals to alter their speech, medical advice, and policies to affirm gender transition procedures; (c) requires covered employers and insurance providers to offer employee benefits covering gender transition procedures; (d) requires sex-specific healthcare facilities or programs, including shower facilities or hospital wards, to be open to individuals based on gender identity.
Status: Permanent injunction for all CBA members and future members, along with their respective group insurers, and third-party administrators
Legal Advocacy
The Catholic Benefits Association is equipped to address the specific needs of Catholic employers. By providing protections, we help them operate their organizations in accordance with Catholic teachings and values.
Fines and Penalties
Catholic employers that offer a health plan that excludes CASC coverage are subject to a fine of $100 per covered employee per day.
Employer Group 1
- Employers who qualify for church exemption
- Exempt
Employer Group 2
- Nonprofit employers who don’t qualify for the church exemption
- Female beneficiaries: 500
- Noncompliance start date: 01/01/14
- Noncompliance end date: 12/31/19
- Tax per beneficiary per day: $100
- Total tax per day: $50,000
- Total days of noncompliance: 2,190
- Total tax: $109,500,000
Employer Group 3
- For profit employers who don’t qualify for the church exemption
- Female beneficiaries: 200
- Noncompliance start date: 09/14/15
- Noncompliance end date: 12/31/19
- Tax per beneficiary per day: $100
- Total tax per day: $20,000
- Total days of noncompliance: 1,569
- Total tax: $31,380,000