Jesse J. Holland
File-In this May 20, 2013, file photo, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor smiles after receiving a Honorary Doctor of Laws during commencement at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. But for the first time in a decade, a New York City mayor won’t be attending the countdown at the crossroads of the world. Outgoing Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he’s sitting this year out to spend time with family. And Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio will be sworn into office at a private ceremony at 12:01 a.m. Instead, Sotomayor will lead the 60-second countdown and push the ceremonial button to signal the descent of the Times Square New Year's Eve ball. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)
December 31, 2013 - 7:16 PM
WASHINGTON - A Supreme Court justice has blocked implementation of portions of President Barack Obama's health care law that would have forced some religion-affiliated organizations to provide health insurance for employees that includes birth control.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor's decision came Tuesday night after a different effort by Catholic-affiliated groups from around the nation. Those groups rushed to the federal courts to stop Wednesday's start of portions of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
Sotomayor acted on a request from an order of Catholic nuns in Colorado, whose request for a stay had been denied by the lower courts.
Sotomayor is giving the government until Friday morning to respond to her decision.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013