JACKSON, Miss. (AP, abc24.com) - Ten Catholic groups in Mississippi are suing the Obama administration over a mandate that most employers provide birth control coverage as part of health insurance plans.
Roman Catholic groups across the nation filed 12 lawsuits Monday. One of those was filed in federal court in the southern half of Mississippi.
The Mississippi lawsuit says the government should not interfere with people's freedom to practice religion. It also says abortion, sterilization and contraception are "contrary to core Catholic doctrine."
The Mississippi lawsuit has 10 plaintiffs, including St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital, the Diocese of Biloxi and groups and schools it oversees and the Diocese of Jackson and groups and schools it oversees.
The U.S. Health and Human Services Department says it adopted the rule to improve women's health care.
