ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--EARLIER THIS WEEK THE NEW YORK STATE COURT OF APPEALS CAME DOWN WITH A RULING THAT MEANS COMPANIES ARE STILL REQUIRED TO COVER MEDICALLY NECESSARY ABORTIONS THROUGH INSURANCE PLANS.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ALBANY AND OTHER CHURCH ENTITIES CHALLENGED THE STATE’S REGULATION REQUIRING NEW YORK EMPLOYER HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES THAT PROVIDE MEDICAL COVERAGE THAT INCLUDE MEDICALLY NECESSARY ABORTIONS.  
 
EXPERTS SAID MEDICALLY NECESSARY ABORTIONS ARE NEEDED TO GUARANTEE THE HEALTH AND SOMETIMES LIFE OF A PATIENT. 
 
THE DIOCESE BELIEVES THE REGULATION SHOULD HAVE AN EXEMPTION FOR RELIGIOUS EMPLOYERS CLAIMING THE RULE VIOLATES THEIR religious FREEDOMS.  
 
BUT THE COURT OF APPEALS DISAGREED, RULING INDIVIDUALIZED EXEMPTIONS WOULD NOT APPLY TO THIS STATE RULE.  
 
GOV. KATHY HOCHUL SUPPORTED THE RULING, SAYING ITS A STEP TOWARDS PROTECTING WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE AND ABORTION RIGHTS.  
 
“Individuals should not be limited from rights that have been conferred on them in the state of New York which is to have your employer cover all medical services including reproductive. An employer can’t pick and choose which state laws they want to follow, which state regulations they want to follow so I think it was the proper result,” said Hochul. 
 
WHILE SOME MEMBERS OF THE NEW YORK STATE CATHOLIC CONFERENCE SAid THEY EXPECT THE CASE TO GO TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, HOCHUL SAid SHE DOESN’T THINK IT WOULD GO THAT FAR.