OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma City-based arts and crafts chain has formally appealed a federal judge's rejection of its request to block part of the federal health care overhaul that requires it to provide insurance coverage for the morning-after and week-after birth control pills.
Online records of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals indicate Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. appealed the ruling on Tuesday. U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton handed down the ruling on Monday.
Hobby Lobby and a sister company, Mardel Inc., sued the government in September, claiming the mandate violates the owners' religious beliefs.
The owners contend the morning-after and week-after pills are tantamount to abortion because they can prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in a woman's womb. They also object to providing coverage for certain kinds of intrauterine devices.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.