California asks federal judge to block Trump contraception rule

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D) asked a federal judge on Thursday to block Trump administration rules that would allow more exemptions to ObamaCare’s contraception mandate.

The final rules, slated to take effect Jan. 14, would allow most businesses to opt out of covering contraception for their employees if they have moral or religious objections.

{mosads}”The Trump Administration is continuing to trample on women’s rights and access to care with this illegal final rule,” Becerra said in a statement Thursday. “California will continue the fight against any actions that attempt to restrict women’s access to affordable, quality healthcare.”

Attorneys general in Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington state and the District of Columbia joined Becerra’s request for an injunction.

The administration issued draft rules that took effect immediately last year, but they have been blocked by several courts. Federal judges in California and Pennsylvania blocked the rules partly because the administration didn’t allow for public comment on them.

The administration finalized the rules last month after accepting public comment. There were few changes from the 2017 draft rules.