Justices tackle health law birth control coverage

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court is weighing whether corporations have religious rights that exempt them from part of the new health care law that requires coverage of birth control for employees at no extra charge.

The case being argued at the court Tuesday involves family-owned companies that provide health insurance to employees, but object to covering certain contraceptives that they say can work after conception, in violation of their religious beliefs.

The justices have never before held that profit-making businesses have religious rights. But the companies in the Supreme Court case say they should be covered by a 1993 federal religious freedom law.

The Obama administration says a ruling for the businesses also could undermine laws governing immunizations, Social Security taxes and minimum wages.