A craft retailer with several stores in East Tennessee is suing the federal government over the contraception mandate in the health care law.
The founder of Hobby Lobby says his Christian-based company should not have to pay for emergency contraceptives, like the so-called morning after pill.
Part of the health care law requires businesses to provide employees with contraceptives at no cost.
Morning after pills prevent the release of an egg so there's nothing to fertilize, but the objection to these pills is they may also prevent implantation of embryos. It's something Planned Parenthood says isn't proven.
"That has not been demonstrated. I know that gets talked about. There's speculation that could happen. I am not aware of studies that that does happen," said Anita Fream with Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma.
"We simply cannot abandon our religious beliefs to comply with this mandate," said Hobby Lobby Founder David Green.
At one time Hobby Lobby did provide the morning after pills as part of its insurance plan. The company's attorney said the pills were added without the founder's knowledge, who has always opposed them.
Hobby Lobby is asking a federal judge to issue an injunction against the health care law.
Several Catholic institutions in Middle Tennessee are also suing the government over the contraceptive mandate.
The Diocese of Nashville says the new law violates the church's beliefs and religious liberty.
Churches are exempt from the mandate, but other religious entities, like schools and colleges would have to pay for the coverage.