CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Roman Catholic organizations in Wyoming are appealing a judge's refusal to block provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act that require health insurance coverage for contraception and abortion services for hundreds of non-ministerial employees.

U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl of Casper this week denied a request from the Catholic groups for an injunction against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Lawyers for the Diocese of Cheyenne and other Catholic groups filed notice Thursday that they're appealing to the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver.

The Catholic groups had asked Skavdahl to block access to contraception and abortion services for their non-ministerial employees.

Skavdahl refused, ruling that requiring the religious groups to transfer their employees' insurance coverage to a third-party administrator didn't burden their religious freedom.

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