October Term 2019 · Docket 19-431
Can religious employers opt out of contraceptive coverage rules?
Religious groups seek exemptions from federal contraceptive coverage mandates.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
General Francisco stated the 2011 mandate sparked years of litigation.
Mr. Clement noted the government initially exempted churches.
Mr. Fischer claimed the exemption rules rest on sweeping assertions.
Justice Ginsburg emphasized Congress's instruction for seamless coverage.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 14-16 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 14-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 8-26 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 8-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 10-30 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 10-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 6-8 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 6-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 36-38 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 36-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 42-8 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 42-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 54-54 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 54-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 36-44 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 36-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 10-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-18 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 46-14 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 46-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 54-22 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 54-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 24-20 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 24-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 26-26 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 26-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 28-32 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 28-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 46-54 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 46-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-46 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 26-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 18-30 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 18-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 36-38 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 36-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 52-18 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 52-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 34-46 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 34-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 50-8 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 50-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 12-34 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 12-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 18-22 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 18-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 6-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 34-46 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 34-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 46-54 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 46-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 6-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 99, lines 14-10 — Transcript, file page 99, lines 14-10
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of religious exemptions in health insurance rules.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 36-44 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 36-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-18 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 46-14 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 46-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 24-20 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 24-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 99, lines 14-10 — Transcript, file page 99, lines 14-10
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on May 6, 2020.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 10-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 34-46 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 34-46
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want exemptions from contraceptive coverage requirements.
the opposing sides want seamless, no-cost coverage for all women.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 36-44 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 36-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-18 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 46-14 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 46-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 24-20 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 24-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 99, lines 14-10 — Transcript, file page 99, lines 14-10
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the mandate violates their religious beliefs.
the opposing sides argue the exemptions exceed agency authority.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 36-44 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 36-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-18 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 46-14 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 46-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 24-20 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 24-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 99, lines 14-10 — Transcript, file page 99, lines 14-10
What the justices asked
Why does the RFRA exemption reach beyond self-certification concerns?
What standards govern when agencies can make exceptions?
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 14-16 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 14-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 8-26 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 8-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 10-30 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 10-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 6-8 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 6-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 36-38 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 36-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 42-8 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 42-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 54-54 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 54-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 54-22 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 54-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 26-26 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 26-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 28-32 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 28-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 46-54 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 46-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-46 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 26-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 18-30 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 18-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 36-38 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 36-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 52-18 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 52-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 34-46 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 34-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 50-8 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 50-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 12-34 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 12-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 18-22 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 18-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 6-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 46-54 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 46-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 6-12
Why it matters
This dispute defines the balance between religious liberty and access to healthcare. It determines how broadly agencies can grant exemptions from federal mandates. The outcome shapes future interactions between faith-based organizations and government regulations.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 36-44 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 36-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-18 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 46-14 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 46-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 24-20 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 24-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 99, lines 14-10 — Transcript, file page 99, lines 14-10
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 14-16 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 14-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 8-26 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 8-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 10-30 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 10-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 6-8 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 6-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 36-38 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 36-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 42-8 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 42-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 54-54 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 54-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 10-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 54-22 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 54-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 26-26 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 26-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 28-32 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 28-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 46-54 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 46-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-46 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 26-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 18-30 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 18-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 36-38 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 36-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 52-18 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 52-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 34-46 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 34-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 50-8 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 50-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 12-34 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 12-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 18-22 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 18-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 6-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 34-46 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 34-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 46-54 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 46-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 6-12
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 36-44 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 36-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-18 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 46-14 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 46-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 24-20 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 24-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 99, lines 14-10 — Transcript, file page 99, lines 14-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 36-44 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 36-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-18 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 46-14 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 46-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 24-20 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 24-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 99, lines 14-10 — Transcript, file page 99, lines 14-10
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.