The president of Belmont College asked Wellpath to remove those procedures from the plan on the grounds that they were contrary to Catholic teaching. Though the state of North Carolina requires this coverage, it offers an exemption for religious institutions.
Faculty and staff were then sent an e-mail memo explaining the coverage change and the reasons for that change.
According to InsideCatholic.com, the college’s Vice President for College Relations Ken Davison explained the reasons for the change, saying, "This insurance coverage is contrary to the clear moral teaching of the Catholic Church so we will not offer nor will we subsidize these medical services. To do so would be contrary to our stated Catholic mission and identity."
Ken Davison said that eight Belmont College faculty, six men and two women, filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The complaint, filed during the Christmas break, alleged that the changes in insurance coverage were discriminatory on the basis of sex and religion. One faculty member also complained to the state’s Department of Insurance about the changes in coverage and the religious exemption.
The National Women’s Law Center on January 16 mailed a letter to the college president threatening a lawsuit on behalf of the eight faculty members. The letter demanded that the college reinstate the coverage and pay any damages and out-of-pocket costs.
No lawsuit has yet been filed. However, the college has hired legal counsel to respond to the EEOC complaint.