Washington ( CNN ) -- Seven states on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the federal government requirement that religious employers offer health insurance coverage that includes contraceptives and other birth control services . The issue has become a political flashpoint in a presidential election year , and the lawsuit by attorneys general from Nebraska , Michigan , Ohio , Oklahoma , South Carolina , Florida and Texas was certain to keep it prominent . Private plaintiffs joining the seven states included Pius X Catholic High School , Catholic Social Services , Catholic Mutual Relief Society of America and private citizens Stacy Molai and Sister Mary Catherine . The 25-page lawsuit named the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius ; the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner ; and the U.S. Department of Labor and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis as defendants . It alleges a violation of the First Amendment and of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act , saying that the requirement for employees at church-affiliated institutions such as hospitals to receive health coverage for contraceptives and other birth control services contravened constitutionally protected religious freedom . `` Government has no business forcing religious institutions and individuals to violate their sincerely held beliefs , '' Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement Thursday . `` This lawsuit is about protecting religious liberty and the rights of conscience , our most basic freedoms as Americans . '' Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said the government rule under the health care reform law passed in 2010 `` compels people of faith to act contrary to their convictions . '' `` The very first amendment to our Constitution was intended to protect against this sort of government intrusion into our religious convictions , '' Abbott said . Abbott and Bondi are Republicans . Officials from the White House and the Department of Justice had no comment on the pending litigation . However , it is not the first court challenge to the Obama administration 's new mandate on contraceptive coverage . The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty has filed a series of lawsuits , arguing that even the revised polices on contraception access would constitute a violation of their clients ' faith . Last week , the Justice Department urged judges to stay out of the controversy until a compromise can be worked out . At issue is whether religious institutions should be exempt from mandated employee coverage for birth control and other reproductive care . The administration announced a proposed compromise in the dispute earlier this month . Under its new plan , religiously affiliated universities and hospitals would not be forced to offer contraception coverage to their employees . Insurers will be required , however , to offer complete coverage for free to women who work at such institutions . In announcing the proposed compromise , Obama said `` no woman 's health should depend on who she is or where she works or how much money she makes . '' He added that `` the principle of religious liberty '' was also at stake , and `` as a citizen and as a Christian , I cherish this right . '' Female employees at churches themselves will have no guarantee of any contraception coverage -- a continuation of current law . The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops denounced Obama 's compromise soon after the president 's announcement , saying the proposal raises `` serious moral concerns , '' according to a statement posted on its website . Half of all Americans polled say they oppose the Obama administration 's new policy , according to a CNN/ORC International survey . The final version of the contraception requirement goes into effect next January . The administration said that under a safe harbor provision , no group can be forced to provide birth control at least until year 's end . CNN 's Bill Mears , Susan Candiotti and Vivian Kuo contributed to this report .
NEW : Religious freedom is the underlying issue , Texas attorney general says . The issue has become a political flashpoint in a presidential election year . The lawsuit accuses the government of violating the First Amendment . The Obama administration adjusted its policy in an attempt at compromise .