ACLU lawsuit highlights growing dangers for women at Catholic hospitals

[canada-man]

get religion out of health care now!

Earlier this month, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed what at first blush seems like a very unusual lawsuit against the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Her life jeopardized by the refusal of Mercy Health Partners in Muskegon, Michigan, to perform or even inform her of the need for an abortion, the plaintiff Tamesha Means is instead suing the USCCB for its ethical and religious directives which require Catholic hospitals to avoid abortion or referrals, "even when doing so places a woman's health or life at risk."

But as the numbers show, Ms. Means's case is hardly unique. While much of the focus in the abortion debate has centered on the statehouses, governors' mansions and courtrooms in the reddest of red states are now making a mockery of the very idea of "the health of the mother." It's another disturbing trend that is fast making access to abortion and other reproductive services a thing of the past across large swaths of the country. In Washington, Oregon, Illinois, and other strongly pro-choice states, the rapid consolidation of smaller, rural and even teaching hospitals by expanding Catholic chains is putting women's reproductive health—and sometimes their lives—at risk. Thanks to these mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships, decisions about contraception, abortion, sterilization, and lifesaving care aren't being made by patients and their doctors, but increasingly by bishops.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/...tm_campaign=Feed:+dailykos/index+(Daily+Kos)#

 

[Aardvark154]

I highly doubt she will prevail.

 

[Lovehobby]

There should not be catholic hospitals, only hospitals.

 

[rld]

There should not be catholic hospitals, only hospitals.

In the United States millions upon millions of people are treated in Catholic hospitals, with much of the equipment and services provided with Catholic money.

I guess you want those people to go untreated. Or would you like to donate enough money to make up the difference LH?

 

[Lovehobby]

In the United States millions upon millions of people are treated in Catholic hospitals, with much of the equipment and services provided with Catholic money.

I guess you want those people to go untreated. Or would you like to donate enough money to make up the difference LH?

I simply believe only the state should run hospitals, schools parks etc. I would buy them out and let them do something else.

 

[elmo]

I simply believe only the state should run hospitals, schools parks etc. I would buy them out and let them do something else.

You think the state should run everything.

 

[rld]

I simply believe only the state should run hospitals, schools parks etc. I would buy them out and let them do something else.

Of course you would buy them out. I guess the massive budget surpluses in the US would make that easy. And you would even take on the long term expenses of running the operations.

And replace the doctors who leave those hospitals because they have moral objections with....?

 

[Lovehobby]

Of course you would buy them out. I guess the massive budget surpluses in the US would make that easy. And you would even take on the long term expenses of running the operations.

And replace the doctors who leave those hospitals because they have moral objections with....?

If I we're czar of health care I would take the medical Liscence away from doctor who did not either perform abortions or refer to those who did. The deficit is coming down at a very rapid rate, the purchase would be mortgaged of course.

There must 100% separation of church and state.

 

[Aardvark154]

If I we're czar of health care I would take the medical Lawrence (sic) away from [a] doctor who did not either perform abortions or refer to those who did.

You believe that this would survive the lawsuit which would follow?


I believe Tsar Lovehobby that the physician would certainly get an injunction. Further this is settled enough law that if they could show malice (which seems likely) they could also get both compensatory and punitive damages. Of course there is also the small issue that in the U.S. Medical Licensing is a State rather than a Federal matter.

p.s. I realize that Lawrence is license.

 

[fuji]

And replace the doctors who leave those hospitals because they have moral objections with....?

There's no shortage of foreign doctors who would happily take those jobs if the artificial barriers to their entry were removed.

I agree with your other comments on LH's position.

 

[blackrock13]

If I we're czar of health care I would take the medical Liscence away from doctor who did not either perform abortions or refer to those who did. The deficit is coming down at a very rapid rate, the purchase would be mortgaged of course.

There must 100% separation of church and state.

Huh?