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Wieland gets new health care plan after lengthy court battle

IMPERIAL, Mo. – Sen. Paul Wieland enrolled for a new health care plan last week, a move made significant since it took him a three-year court battle to accomplish.

Wieland challenged in federal court his right due to his religious belief to not use a health care plan required him to pay for contraceptive rights within the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan (MCHCP), provided to most state employees. Wieland is a Roman Catholic.

On Oct. 27, the MCHCP board met and voted to grant Wieland an alternative plan that did not violate his religious beliefs.

An injunction was given to Wieland by a federal court which allows him to purchase a health care plan that does not include birth control. Wieland brought the case forward after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby essentially struck down the contraceptive mandate of the Affordable Care Act.

“I’m relieved that my wife and I can finally participate in a health care plan that no longer violates our religious liberties,” Wieland said in a statement. “We hope that this is a new beginning and that one day all Missouri families will join us in having the freedom to enroll in a healthcare plan that preserves their religious conscience.”

Wieland was represented by the Thomas More Society, a conservative, religious-minded law firm based in Chicago.