The Latest: Regulators reviewing diocese’s lawsuit

ALBANY, N.Y. – The Latest on a lawsuit by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany against New York insurance regulators (all times local):

2:20 p.m.

New York insurance regulators say they are reviewing a lawsuit by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany over requirements that workplace health plans cover employee abortions.

The complaint filed in state court says the Department of Financial Services lacks legislative authority to impose the requirements. The lawsuit claims the mandate is unconstitutional and forces employers with religious and conscientious objections to abortion to help pay for them.

The diocese calls it “an invidious governmental coercion of religious institutions, employers and individuals.”

The lawsuit faults the department’s “model language” to insurers requiring individual and small group health plans to include coverage of “therapeutic” and “non-therapeutic” abortions. The suit also says that abortion coverage “is encrypted in health insurance contracts under the rubric of ‘medically necessary’ surgery.”

Department spokesman Richard Loconte said Friday they are reviewing the complaint.

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10:40 a.m.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany has sued state insurance regulators over requirements that workplace health plans cover employee abortions.

The complaint filed in state court says the Department of Financial Services lacks legislative authority to impose the requirements. The lawsuit claims the mandate is unconstitutional and forces employers with religious and conscientious objections to abortion to help pay for them.

The diocese calls it “an invidious governmental coercion of religious institutions, employers and individuals.”

The lawsuit faults DFS-issued “model language” to insurers requiring individual and small group health plans to include coverage of “therapeutic” and “non-therapeutic” abortions. The suit also says that abortion coverage “is encrypted in health insurance contracts under the rubric of ‘medically necessary’ surgery.”

The department and governor’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.