Washington (CNN) -- The Supreme Court could act as early as Friday on pending requests for injunctions in two separate, high-profile cases-- health care reform and same-sex marriage -- that put Justice Sonia Sotomayor in an unusually pivotal role. Religious-affiliated non-profits -- including a Denver-based home for the elderly run by Catholic nuns -- have asked the high court to block enforcement of the requirement in the Affordable Care Act to provide birth control and other reproductive health coverage to their workers. The emergency application was filed Tuesday with Sotomayor, a day before it was set to take effect. She issued a temporary stay, at least until the Obama administration could file a legal response.
@highlight
Two requests for injuctions puts Sotomayor in unusually pivotal role
@highlight
Sotomayor blocked part of Obamacare law that required contraceptive coverage
@highlight
Utah is asking court to block judge's ruling that struck down ban on same-sex marriage
Sotomayor is also taking the lead in a separate appeal involving @placeholder's law banning gays and lesbians from legal wedlock.