The University of Notre Dame is suing the Obama administration over a federal mandate that its health insurance plans for students and employees cover birth control.

The university filed its lawsuit Tuesday. It claims the mandate violates Notre Dame's freedom to practice religion without government interference.

The birth control mandate is part of President Barack Obama's controversial health care law. The Roman Catholic university says it violates the church's teaching prohibiting contraception.

The Obama administration promotes the law's provision of a range of preventive care, free of charge, as a key benefit of the health care overhaul. Contraception is included in the package of cost-free benefits

The U.S. Supreme Court recently agreed to consider two cases in which business have objected to covering birth control for employees on religious grounds.