Thomas More Society to Conduct Oral Arguments for State Rep. Paul Wieland and Family

Contact: Tom Ciesielka, TC Public Relations, 312-422-1333, tc@tcpr.net

MEDIA ADVISORY, Sept. 5, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Oral arguments in the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals for Wieland v. United States Department of Health and Human Services. Thomas More Society to defend religious liberty of Missouri State Rep. Paul Wieland and his family against the HHS Abortion Pill Mandate.

WHEN: Monday, September 8, 2014: oral arguments begin at 9:00am CDT and are expected to run until 9:45am.

WHO:

• Timothy Belz, Thomas More Society special counsel from St. Louis who will argue the case, available to media following oral arguments.
   
• Paul Wieland (by request), Missouri State Representative, plaintiff represented by Thomas More Society.

WHERE: Outside of the Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse at 111 S. 10th Street, St. Louis, MO
Division II, Southeast Courtroom, 27th Floor
Map: tinyurl.com/q228hsn

DETAILS: In November, 2013, Thomas More Society attorneys filed for preliminary injunctive relief on behalf of Missouri State Representative Paul Wieland and his wife Teresa in the couple's lawsuit contesting Obamacare's infringement on their First Amendment rights. The couple is asking the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to exempt their family from the Health and Human Services Mandate that would require them to participate in group insurance coverage that includes abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and birth control for their teenage and adult daughters.

The Wielands had previously obtained a health insurance plan that honored their sincerely held religious beliefs. But because of the Health and Human Services Mandate, that plan was eliminated and, without their permission, the Wielands were transferred to another plan that includes abortion-inducing drugs and contraceptives, and is thus contrary to their Catholic faith.

The Wielands are suing the federal government for violating their religious liberty, free speech, and parental rights.

The United States Supreme Court ruled in Hobby Lobby that for-profit employers can be exempt from following the HHS Mandate under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, because their exercise of religious faith is substantially burdened when the government forces them to provide religiously objectionable insurance coverage for their employees. Paul and Teresa Wieland claim that their religious freedom, as individuals and as parents, should also be protected under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Read more details about this case here:
Missouri Legislator Sues Government Over HHS Mandate Violation of Civil Rights
 
Missouri Legislator & Wife Ask Court for Protection During Obamacare Lawsuit Appeal

About the Thomas More Society
The Thomas More Society is a not-for-profit, national public interest law firm dedicated to restoring respect in law for life, family, and religious liberty. Based in Chicago, the Thomas More Society defends and fosters support for these causes by providing high quality pro bono legal services from local trial courts all the way to the United States Supreme Court. thomasmoresociety.org