Sutter Merced-Mercy Hospital Merger Hearings End

The last public hearing on the potential merger of Sutter Merced Medical Center and Mercy Hospital was held on Tuesday, the Modesto Bee reports. The issue now moves to Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D), who is expected to make the final decision on the merger by March 30. Opponents of the merger have expressed concern that "conservative Catholic doctrine" will prompt Mercy, owned by Catholic Healthcare West, to discontinue certain reproductive health services, such as tubal ligations. Meanwhile, Mercy officials have said all services currently offered at Sutter Merced will remain unchanged (Mello, Modesto Bee, 3/8).