NEW YORK, NY October 20, 2006 —Faith-based organizations that provide prescription drug benefits to their employees can’t keep contraceptives off the list – even if it goes against their religious beliefs. WNYC’s Fred Mogul reports on a new ruling by the state’s highest court.

Eight Catholic and two Baptist groups challenged a 2002 state law called the Women’s Health and Wellness Act. One of its provisions requires drug coverage to include contraceptives. The law exempted some religious organizations, but not others – and that’s what the charities took issue with.

The state high court ruled six-to-zero, with one abstention, that the wide array of religious organizations offering job counseling, nursing homes, parochial schools and other services don’t deserve the exemption, because they employ and assist people from many different backgrounds.

A spokesman for the New York Catholic Conference says the group is considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.