The Catholic Benefits Association became the latest religious-based organization to file a federal lawsuit fighting to exempt its more than 700 clients from a new Obamacare transgender care rule that went into effect Jan. 1, the Washington Examiner reported.
The rule says doctors cannot refuse necessary medical services because of a patient's gender identify; what's done for a woman must be done for a transgender man, the Examiner reported.
But the CBA, along with several other states and Christian healthcare providers have filed suits to fight the rule on behalf of their clients who might be morally opposed to providing the service, the Examiner reported.
Or, more basic, a doctor who determines that providing a hysterectomy to a transgender man might not be the best course of action for that patient could be in violation of the Obamacare rule.
"The doctor is essentially not able to use his or her best medical judgment, or counsel the patient about what their best judgment is," Lori Windham, a senior attorney representing a lawsuit from a different set of religious-based clients, told the Examiner.
"The rule stems from the nondiscrimination section of the Affordable Care Act … and insurers and providers who don't comply risk paying a hefty fine and losing their Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements," the Examiner reported.
With Donald Trump weeks away from assuming the presidency, the lawsuits might be rendered moot if the president-elect does away with the provision or blows up Obamacare altogether.
But the groups aren't taking any chances.
"We're hopeful for a positive change with a new administration, but we're prepared to continue the battle," Doug Wilson, chief executive of the Catholic Benefits Association, told the Examiner.
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