A federal judge in Saint Louis has thrown out a lawsuit over the Obama administration's health insurance mandate to fund contraception.

The judge called the lawsuit, filed by Catholic Charities and the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, premature.

Dozens of faith-affiliated charities, hospitals, and universities have filed similar lawsuits with a variety of outcomes.

Many analysts believe the U.S. Supreme Court will ultimately decide the case.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration is working on exemption rules for religious groups. An announcement on that is expected by the end of March.

Whatever its final form, the contraception coverage mandate is scheduled to take effect for religious groups in August.