The US Supreme Court case of National Federation of Independent Business v Sebelius addressing the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act ("the Act"). While the court upheld the constitutionality of the Act, implementation has become challenging, particularly with the contraception mandate. Likewise several suits have been filed by private employers also seeking exemption on religious grounds. The most recent decision was that of Hobby Lobby in which the Court extended the exemption to private employers. Additionally, the Obama Administration has responded to the issue brought forth in the Little Sisters of the Poor Case with new contraception coverage plan offered for religious nonprofits. Please read these materials relative to the contraception mandate and answer all four questions that follow in your initial post:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/28/politics/obama-contraceptives/index.html

http://www.scotusblog.com/2014/06/opinion-analysis-does-the-new-religious-exemption-go-far-enough/

http://www.scotusblog.com/2014/06/analysis-hobby-lobby-and-claims-for-religious-exemptions-from-anti-discrimination-laws/

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/08/obamacare-contraception-coverage-new-plan-110261.html?hp=f1

http://www.christianpost.com/news/what-the-hobby-lobby-decision-means-for-the-little-sisters-of-the-poor-122556/

(1) Based upon this week's readings and your own perspectives how would you characterize the reasonableness of the contraception mandate of the Affordable Care Act?

(2) Does the Obama administration's exemption go far enough to shield religious affiliated organizations, such as Catholic Health System Hospitals and Universities?

(3) Do you agree with the US Supreme Court's 6/30/2014 decision in the Hobby Lobby Case in that religious freedom should extend to private employers (allowing them to deny insurance coverage for certain forms of birth control that they equate with abortion)? Why or Why not?

(4) Does the Hobby Lobby decision have other implications relative to religious freedom of employers? If so, what might they be?