NEW YORK, January 8, 2002 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Roman Catholic dioceses in New York State are suing to block a new state law that requires them to provide health insurance coverage for contraceptives prescribed for their employees who work in Catholic schools, hospitals and social service agencies. Advocates of the law say religious-affiliated hospitals and other institutions employ and serve people of other faiths and often accept public funds. As a result, they say, they must abide by the same laws as secular institutions. In fact, of course, a large proportion of tax dollars come from Catholic taxpayers, so there is no reason that non-Catholic ideology should be imposed by the state. Ironically, the law might actually oblige Catholic educational and health institutions to return to hiring practicing Catholics, whether lay people or members of traditional religious orders, to avoid having to pay for contraception and perhaps even abortions. For media coverage see: http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030106/4754201s.htm