The health care package pushed by President Barack Obama's administration generally requires no-cost preventive care coverage to women for items including contraceptives. Hercules Industries Inc. is run by the Newland family, whose Roman Catholic beliefs condemn contraception.

Last year a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking Hercules from having to offer contraceptive coverage while its lawsuit challenging the mandate proceeds. The company says it should be exempt on religious grounds.

In a brief filed Friday in the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the federal government contends the for-profit heating and cooling company isn't a religious organization that qualifies for an exemption.

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