ACLU’s New Ally In Sterilization Lawsuit Against Dignity Health: 41,000 Doctors
California's largest medical association is joining the fight in a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union that stems from the hospital chain Dignity Health's denial of a tubal ligation procedure based on religious directives.
Modern Healthcare:
Calif. Medical Association Joins ACLU Lawsuit Against Dignity Over Religious Directives
California's largest medical association is joining the fight against Dignity Health over its refusal to allow a woman to get her tubes tied during a C-section.The lawsuit is one of a number that have been filed by the American Civil Liberties Union across the country over Catholic hospitals' refusals to provide certain types of care because of ethical and religious guidelines issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. (Schencker, 4/27)
KPCC:
California Medical Association Seeks To Join ACLU Suit Against Catholic Hospital System
The Medical Association says it's illegal for Dignity Health's hospital administrators to intervene in the decision to tie a woman's tubes after a C-section. "It's the physician, with his or her patient, who should make that decision," says Dr. Ruth Haskins, the Medical Association's president-elect. "It should not be administrators, who are laypeople, making medical decisions that have such a consequence." (Plevin, 4/27)
Rewire:
41,000 Doctors To Join Lawsuit Against Catholic Hospital Over Denial Of Care
The ACLU lawsuit stems from the case of a Dignity Health patient who was denied a tubal ligation. The patient’s physician agreed to perform the procedure during her cesarean section, but the hospital refused the doctor’s request, citing religious directives written by Catholic bishops that classify sterilization as “intrinsically evil.” ... The plaintiffs argue that forcing doctors to deny basic health care on the basis of religious objections creates a conflict between the medical well-being of patients and the directives of the Catholic hospital system. They also contend that withholding medical care for reasons unrelated to medicine is illegal in California. (Shine, 4/27)
The San Francisco Chronicle:
State’s Doctors Join Suit Over Dignity Health Sterilization Ban
Dignity Health, based in San Francisco, said it was disappointed by the CMA’s decision to join the suit. The company also said it clearly informs all staff physicians and visiting doctors that its hospitals “operate in accordance with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.” (Egelko, 4/27)