( CNN ) -- The Supreme Court on Monday will rule on a politically-charged Obamacare appeal involving a requirement that certain , for-profit businesses provide contraceptive coverage to their employees . Can those employers avoid the requirement if they object on moral or religious grounds ? Can they do so if they see this as a requirement that can -- in their view -- ultimately lead to abortion ? That 's what the justices have weighed over several months . Here are five questions to consider in advance of their decision , which incidentally is the last of the term and should come down shortly after 10 a.m . ET . 1 . How big is this case ? It 's the most closely watched one this term . The legal and social pique may not reach the heights of two years ago when the justices narrowly preserved the Affordable Care Act and how it is paid for . But the stakes are still large , and the decision could serve as a primer for other pending challenges to the health law championed by President Barack Obama and in play as a campaign issue this midterm season as Republicans seek to retake the Senate . `` This case is n't that practically important , except for the employees and businesses involved . There just are n't a huge number of those , '' said Thomas Goldstein , publisher of SCOTUSblog.com and a Washington appellate attorney . `` But everyone can agree the social questions presented -- about when people can follow their religious convictions , and when people are entitled to contraception care -- are truly important , '' he said . 2 . What 's the case about ? The court is zeroing in on part of the health care law that requires certain employers to offer insurance coverage for birth control and other reproductive health services without a copay -- even when the employers say doing so would violate their religious beliefs . The decision actually stems from separate appeals filed by two companies , Conestoga Wood Specialties , a Pennsylvania cabinet maker , and Hobby Lobby , an Oklahoma-based retail giant . Conestoga employs about 1,000 people , while Hobby Lobby has roughly 13,000 workers . Companies say it 's wrong for the government to require they provide insurance coverage for , say , drugs that would be provided to prevent human embryos from being implanted in a woman 's womb , which the business owners equate to abortion . Under the law , companies that refuse to comply could be fined more than $ 1 million daily . 3. Who says what ? The White House and its allies say the requirement is `` lawful and essential to women 's health . '' The Obama administration has defended it in court , and has already created rules exempting certain nonprofits and religiously-affiliated organizations , like churches , from the requirement . In those cases , women would receive coverage from another source at no cost . Supporters of the law also fear a high court setback on the contraception mandate will lead to other healthcare challenges on religious grounds , such as do-not-resuscitate orders and vaccine coverage . More broadly , many worry giving corporations religious freedom rights could affect laws on employment , safety , and civil rights . Hundreds of advocates and demonstrators on both sides are expected to rally in front of the courthouse on Capitol Hill . 4 . How will the court rule ? The justices have a good deal of discretion and could reach a `` compromise '' by interpreting the law narrowly . Conservatives , in theory , have the five votes to strike or severely limit the contraception mandate . But some on the bench may worry about the long term impact in overruling large parts of a law passed by Congress , and now being carried out in stages . On the other hand , only one conservative justice who sides with the four more liberal members would be enough to give another huge legal boost to Obamacare . Liberals in general have criticized the conservative majority high court for being overly sympathetic to business interests . 5 . How did we get here ? This is the next chapter in the pitched legal fight over the Affordable Care Act that was approved by Congress in 2010 without any Republican support . Obama and Democratic allies moved forward to help provide insurance coverage for tens of millions of Americans without it . So far , 9 million people have signed up for benefits since last October , but Republicans claim the program is too expensive and wo n't work . The first lawsuits challenging the healthcare overhaul began just hours after Obama signed it into law . The landmark June 2012 decision upheld key parts of Obamacare , ensuring that it would move forward just before the President 's reelection . Nearly 50 pending lawsuits have been filed in federal court from various corporations challenging the birth control coverage benefits . But the Supreme Court will have the final say on those with its decision on Monday . A Mennonite family 's fight over Obamacare reaches . Opinion : How Obamacare can reduce abortions . Court set to rule on Obamacare contraception mandate . Hobby Lobby : The beliefs behind the battle .
The justices will rule on Monday over the next challenge to Obamacare . Should employers offer health coverage for contraception if they object on moral grounds ? Comment: > could ultimately lead to abortions , which they oppose . The case is n't as big as two years ago , but it does have political implications .