Growing Market Power Among Catholic Hospitals Restrains Access to Reproductive Health Care
Summary
The article describes how the growing consolidation of Catholic health systems in the U.S. is affecting access to reproductive health services. It reports that Catholic hospitals now comprise a significant share of hospital beds and systems, and because they follow the Ethical and Religious Directives (which limit or forbid services like abortion, many contraceptive methods, fertility treatments, and certain miscarriage management options), their market power means fewer alternative providers are available in many communities. The piece argues that this creates access barriers for patients, especially in states where Catholic hospitals are the primary or only option.
Relevance
This article sheds light on how institutional growth and religious policies can limit reproductive health options—not just by individual hospital policy, but through systemic market dominance. For readers, it highlights the importance of understanding how some Catholic hospitals’ religious identity shapes what care is available in their region, and why advocacy, regulatory scrutiny, and informed patient choice are essential in upholding access to healthcare services.