Law School - Freedom of Religion v. Obama's Contraception Mandate: Lessons from an Ancient Precedent

April 09, 2012 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Law School | Mattone Family Atrium | 4th Fl.

The Federalist Society at St. John's School of Law is pleased to present:

Freedom of Religion v. Obama's Contraception Mandate: Lessons from an Ancient Precedent

One of the most controversial actions of the Obama Administration with respect to the new health care action is its decision to require that religious employers -- religious hospitals, schools, colleges, charities and ministries -- provide coverage for contraception, sterilization and abortion drugs in their employees' and students' health insurance plans. The mandate poses a square conflict with the religious conscience and convictions of many religious groups. Is such mandated coverage constitutional? Does it violate the Free Exercise Clause? Does it violate federal civil rights law, in the form of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act ("RFRA")?

University of St. Thomas School of Law Professor Michael Stokes Paulsen, a national authority on religious freedom and constitutional law, will argue that the "contraception cram-down" is illegal and unconstitutional and that the administration's proposed "accommodation" does nothing to cure the legal problems with the original.

Date
Monday, April 9, 2012

Time
6-7 p.m.

Location
School of Law | Mattone Family Atrium | Fourth Floor

More Information
Dean McGee
dean.mcgee09@stjohns.edu