In separate California lawsuits, judges have ruled the California Department of Managed Health Care was wrong in forcing four churches from declining elective abortion coverage in their health insurance plans.

According to Alliance Defending Freedom, “As revealed in e-mails that ADF attorneys discovered, the California Department of Managed Health Care issued its mandate in response to specific demands from Planned Parenthood. Those demands asked agency officials to implement a ‘fix’ requiring the health plans of religious organizations to include coverage for abortion, regardless of moral or conscientious objections and despite state recognition up to that point that religious groups shouldn’t be subject to such requirements. The abortion giant threatened to promote its own legislative ‘solution’ if the administrative agency didn’t act, so DMHC issued its mandate in 2014.”

ADF attorney Jeremiah Galus called the decision a win for religious liberty, “The government can’t force a church or any other religious employer to violate their faith and conscience by participating in funding abortion,” Galus said. “For years, California officials, in collaboration with Planned Parenthood, have unconstitutionally targeted faith-based organizations.”

ADF represented Skyline Wesleyan Church, located in the San Diego area, in one federal lawsuit, and Foothill Church in Glendora, Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in Chino, and The Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch in the other.

The court ordered the churches be paid $1.4 million to cover legal expenses.