US judge condemns health plan for not covering contraception

A health insurance plan offering cover for prescription drugs but not for contraceptives is guilty of sex discrimination and violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act, a federal judge in Seattle, Washington, has ruled.

The ruling marks the first time that a federal court has ordered a self insured health care plan offered by a small business to provide contraceptive cover to its female employees. The verdict has been hailed as a landmark decision and may lead to wider prescription drug …