Lawyers told a federal appeals court on Friday that they were close to reaching an agreement that could temporarily uphold government requirements that health insurance programs cover HIV-preventing drugs, cancer screenings and other preventive care while the courts fight over the mandates that take place.
A settlement could be ready to appear in court on Tuesday, attorneys for those opposing the mandates and the Biden administration, which is defending the mandates, said in a brief report to the Court of Appeals. 5th round judge in New Orleans.
In March, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor of Fort Worth, Texas, ruled that certain preventive care claims under former President Barack Obama’s 13-year-old health care law were unconstitutional. . The 5th round blocked the order with immediate effect last month. On Tuesday, a three-judge panel of appeals court heard arguments over whether the mandates should be upheld while appeals unfold in a likely lengthy legal battle. Are not. The board then ordered the lawyers to report by Friday on the possibility of an interim compromise.
The Biden administration wants a stay-at-home order to maintain broad national coverage for HIV prevention and other preventive care services. The attorneys for the six duty-challing plaintiffs want to make sure that any stay doesn’t include their clients – including a conservative activist and a Christian dentist, who object. coverage of contraception and HIV prevention for religious reasons. The plaintiffs want to be able to refuse to report without risking a fine, even if O’Connor’s ruling is ultimately overturned altogether.
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