The Supreme Court on Monday ordered a New York court to reconsider a challenge of a state requirement that employers provide health insurance plans covering abortions.

In an unsigned order, the high court said the case should be reviewed again in light of a previous ruling that Wisconsin discriminated against a Catholic charity by denying it a state tax exemption.

BREAKING: The Supreme Court just ruled in favor of nuns fighting New York’s abortion mandate. The ruling orders New York courts to reconsider whether the state can force religious organizations to pay for abortions. pic.twitter.com/Gt5EPg5DOi

— LoriWindham (@LoriWindham1) June 16, 2025

From the Associated Press:

The New York case poses a similar issue because the state exempts religious employers if their purpose is to spread religious values and they primarily employ and serve people of their faith. But religious groups that serve and employ people regardless of their beliefs don’t qualify for the exemption.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany and other church groups challenged the rule.

It’s the second time the nation’s highest court has sent the case back to New York courts. Last year, the New York Court of Appeals upheld the regulation after taking into account the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling in 2021 in favor of a Catholic foster care agency in Philadelphia that refused to work with same-sex couples because of its religious opposition to same-sex marriage.

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In 2017, a group of Catholic and Anglican nuns, Catholic dioceses, Christian churches, and faith-based social ministries challenged New York’s mandate. https://t.co/YnDyMmVlm5

— LoriWindham (@LoriWindham1) June 16, 2025

“Gov. @GovKathyHochul tried to force Catholic nuns in New York to fund abortions as part of ’employee healthcare.’ This wanton abuse of religious freedom was unconstitutional and the Supreme Court, thankfully, intervened. Kudos to SCOTUS,” the New York Young Republican Club stated.

Gov. @GovKathyHochul tried to force Catholic nuns in New York to fund abortions as part of “employee healthcare.”

This wanton abuse of religious freedom was unconstitutional and the Supreme Court, thankfully, intervened.

Kudos to SCOTUS. https://t.co/KrqAQCzziw

— New York Young Republican Club 🇺🇸🗽 (@NYYRC) June 16, 2025

NBC News reports:

In a separate action Monday, the court also took up a case from New Jersey arising from the state’s investigation of anti-abortion pregnancy centers that provide guidance to pregnant women. The technical issue is whether the state can enforce subpoenas against First Choice Women’s Resource Centers Inc., which runs five centers, seeking information about donors.

First Choice says the subpoena violates its free speech rights and freedom of association under the Constitution’s First Amendment.

The New York case revolves around a regulation issued by New York in 2017 that requires employer-provided health insurance plans to include abortion coverage in certain situations, including in cases of rape and incest.

It includes a religious exemption that applies to institutions but does not extend to religious-affiliated groups that serve the general public, such as those that provide food to low-income people.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany and other organizations sued, saying the exemption is so narrow it violates the Constitution’s First Amendment, which protects the free exercise of religion. In addition to Catholic entities, Lutheran, Episcopalian and Baptist groups are also among the challengers.