Supreme Court Ruling and Hastings Ford

The Supreme Court ruled on Monday, June 30th, that requiring family-owned companies to pay for insurance coverage for contraception under the Affordable Care Act violated a federal law protecting religious freedom. It was a 5-to-4 decision, in favor of Conestoga Wood Specialties and Hobby Lobby.    The ruling is meant for businesses that are closely held for-profit businesses.   That means those with at least 50% of stock held by five or fewer people, such as family-owned businesses, in which the owners have clear religious beliefs. Hastings Automotive Inc. and Hastings Chrysler Center Inc. owner, Doug Erickson, has been pursuing a lawsuit of his own against the government that was put on hold depending on the outcome of this ruling. The decision made by the Supreme Court on Monday, is in Mr. Erickson’s favor to not be mandated to supply contraceptives against his beliefs. KDWA will be speaking with Mr. Erickson later, to get his opinion on this topic.