A Texas federal judge has finalized a permanent injunction preventing the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from enforcing Biden-era rules against two religious groups. The Dr. James Dobson Family Institute and United in Purpose, two Christian organizations, previously successfully sued the agencies. Those groups claim that the federal agency rules related to abortion, fertility, and gender-affirming care violated their rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). The case is Dr. James Dobson Family Institute et al. v. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. et al., Case Number 4:24-cv-986, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
The organizations filed to dismiss the remaining claims in their lawsuit, including their various First Amendment claims. They asked the judge to finalize the decision he issued in their favor in August 2025. The judge’s permanent injunction will allow either side to pursue an appeal and seek an award of attorney’s fees.
The nonprofit Christian groups filed their suit in late 2024, challenging the legality of certain provisions of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the EEOC’s interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The disputed provisions involve requiring employee health plans to cover abortion and gender-affirming care. The groups also challenged the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which covers workers having abortions or...
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