A federal judge in December granted Biola University relief from complying with a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate that requires faith-based employers to provide free insurance access to all government-approved contraceptive drugs — including those that might induce abortions. U.S. District Judge Jon E. DeGuilio issued a on Dec. 27 to allow Biola to exclude coverage for the drugs it finds objectionable, including Plan B and ella (known as the “week-after pill”), while the university’s ongoing court case against the federal government proceeds. The mandate, part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, had been scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1.

“This case is about whether the government can force Biola University — under penalty of severe fines — to violate its deeply held religious convictions about the sanctity of human life,” the university responded in a statement. “Biola applauds the court for taking this initial step as the university seeks to protect its constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom.”

illustration of a woman holding a sword and a scale

Biola filed its joint lawsuit with Grace College and Seminary in Indiana in August 2012. The suit challenges the HHS mandate on the grounds that the controversial regulation violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as well as the First and Fifth amendments to the U.S. Constitution. (Other institutions that have filed similar suits include the University of Notre Dame, Wheaton College, Geneva College and Catholic University.)

Biola’s primary concern with the mandate is the dangerous federal precedent it sets in narrowing constitutionally protected religious freedoms, President Barry H. Corey has explained. The regulation creates a full exemption for churches, but not for other faith-based organizations such as universities and hospitals — meaning they must comply with the mandate, even if it violates doctrinal positions, or choose to either pay substantial annual fines or stop offering health insurance altogether.

Since the original filing, the government has implemented an “accommodation” for faith-based organizations with religious or moral objec