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Catholic Medical Association Exposes Fight Against Normalizing Assisted Suicide
The American Medical Association (AMA) is set to discuss two resolutions regarding assisted suicide at an upcoming interim meeting. One resolution proposes to stop "criminalizing" doctors, patients, and families involved in assisted suicides, replacing the term "assisted suicide" with "Medical Aid In Dying" (MAID). The other resolution proposes the AMA take a neutral stance on assisted suicide.
Dr. Tim Millea from the Catholic Medical Association opposes these resolutions, expressing concern about the younger generation's perspective and advocating for care over ending lives unnaturally. The AMA's decisions hold significant sway in legislation at state and federal levels.
By: Madalaine Elhabbal
Ascension nurses call on U.S. bishops to hold Catholic hospital chain accountable to church directives
Nurses from Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore are rallying on November 12, 2024, outside a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting to urge the bishops to hold Ascension accountable to Catholic healthcare directives. They accuse Ascension, of failing to uphold its mission to serve vulnerable populations and respect employees. Nurses cite unsafe staffing, workplace violence, and profit-driven decisions that undermine care for marginalized patients. Ascension has also faced criticism for cutting services, particularly in low-income, predominantly Black and Latin communities, and selling hospitals in poorer areas.
By: National Nurses Organizing Committee, National Nurses United
Catholic hospitals criticize report alleging they provide surgeries for trans youth
Catholic hospitals are disputing a report by the conservative group Do No Harm, which claims that 28 Catholic health systems provided gender-affirming surgeries to minors between 2019 and 2023. The report, based on anonymous billing data, has been criticized for its flawed methodology, including the use of non-specific treatment codes and a lack of patient age and sex information. Despite these criticisms, some bishops have endorsed the report, calling for a special meeting to address the issue.
By: Katie Collins Scott, NCR
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
Beirut hospitals discreetly treat Hezbollah's wounded
In Beirut, the Catholic Hôtel-Dieu de France hospital is discreetly treating Hezbollah members who were severely injured in explosions on September 17 and 18, attributed to Israel. Despite Hezbollah’s religious and political affiliations, the Catholic hospital, deeply rooted in Lebanon’s history, has opened its doors to treat the wounded, reflecting a broader unity in Lebanon. Local citizens, transcending religious divides, rushed to donate blood, and medical teams worked tirelessly to manage the overwhelming influx. This inter-religious support underscores the hospital’s mission of care amid heightened conflict, as subsequent Israeli strikes further escalate regional tensions.
By: Jenny Lafond
“God's blessing to the people”: Catholic Archbishop in Cameroon Says New Hospital will Reduce Suffering.
The newly inaugurated St. Blaise Catholic Hospital in Bamenda, Cameroon, aims to provide essential healthcare to residents who previously traveled long distances for treatment. During the September 18 opening, Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea emphasized that the facility, equipped with specialists will reduce transportation costs for locals. The six-floor hospital includes an outpatient department, diagnostic labs, and imaging facilities, along with a 120-bed capacity. Archbishop Nkea described the hospital as a "blessing" and part of the Catholic Church's commitment to serve both body and spirit, continuing the healing mission of Jesus Christ. Initial services will be accessible, with free consultations for the first six months and a 20% discount on bed fees.
By: Jude Atemanke
Catholic hospitals were founded to help the poor. Now they pay executives millions and charge some of the highest prices around
The article discusses the financial practices of Catholic health systems in the U.S., highlighting tensions between their founding missions of charity and community service and their current business models. Many Catholic hospitals, originally established to provide affordable care, now face criticism for prioritizing profit over accessibility. Some systems charge high prices, spend less on community benefits than the value of their tax exemptions, and employ aggressive tactics to collect unpaid bills, which include liens and wage garnishment. Despite their religious principles, these hospitals often enforce restrictive medical policies but fall short on social responsibility standards, including care for vulnerable populations. The influence of mergers and acquisitions has allowed Catholic health systems to consolidate market power, leading to higher healthcare costs without significantly improving quality of care.
By: Rachana Pradhan
Silent prayer outside of abortion clinic is a form of reproductive coercion
In Britain, legislation was passed to stop activism in the vicinity of abortion clinics. Specifically, the legislation targets Catholics who pray outside of abortion clinics. In response, anti-abortion protesters allege that the new legislation will violate their human rights. The article explains that there’s a variety of activities outside abortion clinics, and the activity changes frequently. Sometimes, there are silent prayers, engagement with patients, holding banners and candles or distributing pamphlets. The justification of the new legislation is to prevent women from being coerced to continue their pregnancy.
By: Pam Lowe, Sarah-Jane Page
Premier Smith reveals plans to take some Alberta hospitals away from AHS
A previous secular hospital in Alberta, under Alberta Health Services (AHS), has been transferred to a private healthcare provider. The premier of Alberta said that the decision to transfer operations was made because AHS has 106 facilities, which makes it difficult for them to run everything. The hospital operates under Covenant Health, which has a reputation for never shutting down rural hospitals. Friends of Medicare, a healthcare advocacy group, finds the premier’s comments controversial because there is no evidence to support Covenant Health’s superior track record.
By: Lauryn Heintz
Can I get a vasectomy? Here's what the Catholic church teaches
A vasectomy is a form of sterilization, and vasectomy procedures have increased since the overturning of Roe v Wade. Reasons for vasectomies include not wanting children, not wanting to pass on a genetic disease or because pregnancy could pose a risk for their partner. According to Catholic beliefs, sterilization is immoral because it takes away from the Catholic purpose of intercourse, which is to procreate or promote the union between man and wife. However, the Church believes that when there are serious issues regarding having more children, the couple should resort to natural family planning, where the couple tracks the women’s fertility cycle.
By: Kate Quiñones
Vatican wrong to open door to euthanasia says LCP whistleblower
A former hospital doctor in Malta who is now an archdiocese speaks out about the Pontifical Academy of Life’s statement that in some situations, euthanasia is acceptable. He strongly disagrees with depriving patients of food and nutrients, particularly the elderly. Moreover, he says that the motivation is to reduce costs. He hosted a lecture on LCP, Liverpool Care Pathway, which delivers euthanasia, and explained how it abuses its power over patients. His lecture prompted families to come forward with their experiences of abuse under LCP. As a result, the government requested an inquiry, and as a result of the inquiry, the LCP was abolished.
By: Simon Caldwell
Italy's abortion divisions sharpen under Melonis leadership
The article discusses the challenges women face in Italy, a predominantly Catholic country, when seeking an abortion. It highlights the experience of an Italian singer, who described how a gynecologist aggressively questioned her decision to have an abortion and falsely claimed she was further along in her pregnancy, despite her insistence that it was not possible due to her long-distance relationship. The woman felt judged by healthcare workers, and when she experienced intense pain before the procedure, her suffering was ignored.
By: Alvise Armellini, Claudia Cristoferi, Yesim Dikmen
Last church-run health system in Alabama looses Catholic identity
After the ownership changes to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Alabama will lose its last church-led healthcare system, St Vincent. Bishop Raica hopes that the new ownership will still try to preserve St Vincent’s mission to care for patients experiencing poverty and promote their spiritual well-being. In response, UAB has stated that while they are a secular hospital, they will advocate that the hospital is open to all and committed to serving all people.
By: John Lavenburg
Help for those accompanying Catholics facing end of life decisions
Australian Catholic Bishops have released the Companion Guide to better inform patients and their loved ones about euthanasia. The document was made after consulting Church leaders and health workers. Catholic Health Australia believes that more funding and attention should be placed in palliative care. The justification is that without adequate palliative care options, patients may seek euthanasia because of the lack of alternatives.
By: ACBC, CHA