OAN’s James Myers
8:45 AM – Tuesday, March 5, 2024
A federal judge in North Dakota ruled Monday that Christian employers are not required to pay for or provide medical care for surgeries or other procedures for transgender people.
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On Monday, U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor in Bismarck ruled that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will hire the Christian Employers Alliance (CEA) to cover the medical costs of gender reassignment surgery. The court ruled that it could not be enforced.
Traynor, a candidate for President Donald Trump, said Christian organizations are protected from being forced to provide “gender reassignment services” under religious freedom protections.
The judge further stated that the Christian Employers Alliance’s “religious beliefs are significantly burdened by the financial penalties it faces if it refuses to violate those beliefs.”
“The CEA’s sincerely held religious belief here is that male and female are immutable realities defined by biological sex, and that reassignment of gender is contrary to Christian values.” Traynor wrote. “As a result, the implementation or provision of health care coverage for gender transition services under the EEOC and HHS coverage obligations will impact the beliefs of the CEA. You must comply with that obligation in violation of your personal beliefs or face severe consequences, including paying fines and facing civil liability.”
Traynor also said in the ruling that the government has not shown that it cannot protect the rights of transgender employees in other ways, such as by providing tax credits or subsidies.
The lawsuit was first filed in October 2021 by the Christian Employers Alliance, challenging the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act that requires employers to cover transgender surgeries. It was done.
Additionally, the judge’s decision was praised by the CEA and the Alliance Defending Freedom, which represents the group in the case.
Shannon Royce, president of the Christian Employers Alliance, said, “Our members have no choice but to struggle with providing biblical employee benefits and quality health care with the threat of federal enforcement and the enormous costs of practicing their faith.” I’m very happy that I no longer have to choose between the two.”
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