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Eureka hospital agrees to provide emergency abortions following lawsuit by state
The article is a follow up on the Lawsuit against St. Joseph Hospital. The lawsuit claims that in February, the hospital directed a hemorrhaging patient, whose pregnancy was nonviable, to another facility 12 miles away rather than providing immediate care. Following the lawsuit, the hospital agreed to comply with California’s Emergency Services Law, which mandates that hospitals offer emergency abortion services if the patient’s health is at serious risk. Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the hospital’s actions as inconsistent with California’s abortion protections, comparing the policy to restrictive laws in conservative states. The hospital’s agreement to comply does not end the lawsuit, as it does not admit guilt.
By: Clara Harter
As nuns disappear, many catholic hospitals look more like mega - corporations
Over 600 Catholic hospitals in the U.S. no longer have nuns in chief executive roles, a shift from when these institutions, were led by nuns. Sister Irene Kraus, a former CEO, emphasized financial viability with her motto "no margin, no mission". However, this focus on margins has transformed many of these hospitals into large corporations that operate for-profit subsidiaries and pay high executive salaries, diverging from charitable roots. Sister Mary Jean Ryan, one of the last nuns to lead a hospital system, reflects on her career from nursing to becoming CEO of SSM Health, a $10 billion revenue-generating giant with extensive operations, including a for-profit pharmacy benefit manager. Despite these business undertakings, Catholic hospitals maintain certain religious observances and commitments to care irrespective of a patient’s financial status.
By: Samantha LIss
Harris Rejects Religious Exemptions for Abortion
V.P. Kamala Harris expressed her opposition to religious exemptions for abortion if she were elected president. She emphasized her commitment to codifying Roe v. Wade into law, underscoring the importance of protecting a woman's fundamental right to make decisions about her own body. The issue of abortion is a cornerstone of Harris's presidential campaign, particularly as she aims to mobilize female voters in the Democratic Party who support the right to abortion.
By: David Zimmermann
Bishop Daly: USCCB Meeting Needed to Address Transgender Treatments in Catholic Hospitals
Bishop Daly, the bishop of Spokane, believes that Church leaders should openly confront and address this issue of Catholic Hospitals providing transgeder treatments. He advocates for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to hold a formal meeting to discuss the role of Catholic hospitals in offering procedures related to gender transitions, such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries that alter biological sex characteristics. The bishop also expresses concern about external pressures from secular society and government regulations that may compel Catholic hospitals to perform these procedures.
By: Matthew McDonald
Coalition of faith groups side with nuns in religious freedom case before Supreme Court
In the case of Diocese of Albany v. Harris, a group of nuns and religious associations in New York are contesting a state law that requires them to provide abortion coverage in their employee health plans. The plaintiffs argue that this mandate violates their religious beliefs and have taken their fight to the Supreme Court. They have garnered support from a diverse coalition of religious groups across various faiths, including Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Catholic, and other Christian denominations.
The case has attracted significant attention, with twenty states and various religious and legal organizations submitting friend-of-the-court briefs in support of the plaintiffs. These briefs argue that forcing religious organizations to provide abortion coverage infringes on religious freedoms, particularly for minority faiths in a pluralistic society.
By: Madalaine Elhabbal
Report: Nearly 150 Catholic Hospitals Provided Transgender Surgeries or Drugs to Children
A report by Do No Harm claims that nearly 150 Catholic hospitals in the U.S. provided hormone therapy or gender-transition surgeries to minors between 2019 and 2023, despite Church teachings prohibiting such procedures. The data indicates that over 520 minors received these treatments, with 152 surgeries performed at 33 hospitals. Providence, a Catholic health network, conducted half of these surgeries across its facilities in five states. The Catholic Health Association (CHA) criticized the report's methodology, stating it lacks context and stigmatizes LGBTQ communities, while Do No Harm defended its findings as accurately highlighting child safety concerns. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) reaffirms that gender-transition interventions contradict Catholic teachings on human dignity and urges Catholic healthcare to prioritize supportive psychotherapy.
By: Tyler Arnold
California sues Catholic hospital for denying emergency abortion to women having a miscarriage
California has filed a lawsuit against Providence St. Joseph Hospital for denying an emergency abortion to Anna Nusslock, who was miscarrying and at risk for serious complications. Attorney General Rob Bonta stated that the hospital's refusal violated state laws mandating emergency abortion care. Nusslock, 15 weeks pregnant and facing imminent health risks after her water broke, was initially denied treatment due to hospital policy. She was sent to another hospital with only a bucket and towels provided for the journey, in case she began to hemorrhage en route. The state seeks an injunction to ensure the hospital complies with laws providing necessary emergency care.
By: Carlos Castañeda