Court Dismisses Alabama Catholic TV Station’s Suit Against Obamacare

An Alabama-based religious broadcasting organization is reviewing its options after a federal judge dismissed its lawsuit challenging part of the new federal health care law.

U.S. District Judge Sharon Lovelace Blackburn threw out the lawsuit filed the Irondale-based Eternal Word Television Network in February. The judge says the issue isn’t ready for court because rules are still changing.

The Roman Catholic broadcasting empire sued over requirements that employee health care insurance must provide coverage for contraception and other services for women. Leaders say the rules violate Catholic teachings.

Network chief executive Michael Warsaw said the network is consulting its lawyers about what to do next.

Eternal Word has studios in metro Birmingham and provides programming available in more than 225 million households worldwide.