Religious Hospitals Attacked for Not Making Abortion Referrals



Washington, DC — Pro-abortion groups are criticizing Catholic hospitals that receive public funds for not providing abortions and abortion referrals.

Two pro-abortion groups — the American Civil Liberties Union and MergerWatch — say institutions receiving public money should play by public rules. Lois Uttley, spokeswoman of MergerWatch, is concerned that when nonsectarian hospitals merge with religious institutions – abortions are eliminated.

“Hospitals should either be required to refer a patient elsewhere for a service that’s not offered at the hospital, or if it's an emergency, and there's no other hospital nearby, we think the hospital should have to provide the service,” Uttley said.

But Frank Russo, executive director of the American Family Association of New York, said requiring hospital personnel to violate their conscience is a violation of First Amendment rights.

“If a hospital wants to exercise its First Amendment rights in regard to the free practice or free exercise of religion, they have every right to refuse to do abortions or to provide contraceptive services,” Russo said.

David Osteen, of the National Right to Life Committee, said the criticism reflects a longstanding goal of the pro-abortion movement to have all hospitals and pertinent doctors participate in abortion on demand. He does not believe the recommendations will become law.

“I just cannot believe in the United States of America that we will force people who oppose the killing of unborn children to participate in abortion,” Osteen said.

The Catholic Health Association response: “There’s no rule that any hospital that receives government funds should provide every service.”

(This article courtesy of Steven Ertelt and the Pro-Life Infonet email newsletter. For more information or to subscribe go to www.prolifeinfo.org or email infonet@prolifeinfo.org.)

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