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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A federal judge has allowed the American Civil Liberties Union to file a "friend of the court" brief in a lawsuit filed by Roman Catholic organizations in Wyoming.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Cheyenne and other organizations sued the federal government in January. They're trying to block the birth-control coverage requirement in the federal health care overhaul.
The Catholic groups object to a requirement in the Affordable Care Act requiring them to provide insurance coverage for contraception and abortion services for some workers. Many similar legal challenges are going on around the country.
Federal Magistrate Kelly Rankin of Cheyenne on Tuesday granted the ACLU's request to be heard in the case. The ACLU filed papers Wednesday arguing the federal requirements don't violate the Catholic groups' religious rights.
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