Summary
A Washington state law, SB 6219, forces churches to cover elective abortions in their health insurance plans. As a result of the state’s mandate, Cedar Park Church’s insurance carrier inserted abortion coverage, including surgical abortion coverage, directly into the church’s health plan.
Case Timeline:
- March 2019: Cedar Park challenged Washington’s Reproductive Parity Act in federal district court.
- May 2020: The district court dismissed Cedar Park’s case.
- September 2020: ADF attorneys representing Cedar Park filed their opening brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.
- July 2021: After ADF attorneys argued before the 9th Circuit, the court ruled that Cedar Park properly challenged the Washington state abortion law and that the district court was wrong to dismiss the church’s free-exercise claim.
- August 2023: After the district court heard the case and ruled that Cedar Park must violate its constitutionally protected beliefs, ADF attorneys appealed the ruling back to the 9th Circuit.
- August 2024: ADF attorneys again argued before the 9th Circuit.
- April 2025: After a split three-judge panel ruled against Cedar Park, ADF attorneys asked the full 9th Circuit to review the decision.
- July 2025: The 9th Circuit panel withdrew its opinion against Cedar Park and stated that another oral argument would be scheduled to hear the case.
- January 2026: Oral arguments were heard at the 9th Circuit.
Commentary
Washington state abandons its namesake’s legacy on religious liberty
Lathan Watts
September 01, 2023
Don’t Force My Church to Pay For Abortions
Jay Smith
July 09, 2021
Washington Abortion Mandate Violates Letter, Spirit of Constitution
Denise Burke
September 06, 2020
Washington state wants to force this church to pay for abortions
Maureen Collins
September 03, 2020