PORTLAND, Maine (AP)   The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine is challenging the legality of the state Medicaid program’s ban against covering abortions.

Maine Public reports that the ACLU is appealing a state court decision against the group’s lawsuit filed on behalf of three providers.

ACLU legal director Zach Heiden said Maine has established policy that allows women to decide for themselves whether to continue a pregnancy.

But a Cumberland County Superior Court decision said that federal law prohibits the use of federal dollars to cover abortions except in extreme circumstances.

Heiden contends that MaineCare is violating women’s rights by doing so.