Belmont Abbey College (N. Car.) sued the federal government over new Health and Human Services regulations under Obamacare (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, PPACA). (Wash. Post story)  These regulations require every American’s health insurance plan to cover sterilization services, abortion counseling, and contraceptives, including prescription drugs the FDA warns can cause the death of a developing human embryo.  The Obama administration has granted waivers from PPACA’s requirements to thousands of organizations ranging from teachers’ unions to McDonald’s.  But, the lawsuit alleges, the PPACA would require Belmont Abbey to fund drugs that would cause an abortion (as defined under federal law) and fund services “that directly conflict with the College’s religious beliefs and teachings.”  Says Hannah Smith, a Becket Fund attorney representing the college:  “Having to pay a fine to the taxing authorities for the privilege of practicing one’s religion or controlling one’s own speech is un-American, unprecedented, and flagrantly unconstitutional.”  (Becket Fund lawsuit webpage)