ACLU Demands That Catholic Hospitals Save Women's Lives

St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, made the right decision last year when administrators decided to provide a 27-year-old woman with a life-saving abortion. According to doctors, the chance that mother of four would die without aborting the 11-week-old fetus was "close to 100%." And with the woman virtually guaranteed to die, there was no chance for her immature fetus to survive either. But Rev. John Ehrich, medical ethics director for the Diocese of Phoenix, opposes that life-saving decision, while acknowledging, "There are some situations where the mother may in fact die along with her child." He says that the "ends" (saving a woman's life) don't justify the "means" (providing an abortion).

The American Civil Liberties Union, however, begs to differ. Womens eNews reports that three branches of the organization have sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, putting a spotlight on possible widespread violations of law regarding hospitals that accept federal funding.

Even though the hospitals in questions are Catholic, you see, they still participate in Medicare and Medicaid by which they receive taxpayer dollars. And in order to become a part of the system, they have to agree to certain conditions. One condition the federal government imposes is that all hospitals must provide all patients with whatever emergency care is necessary to stabilize someone who arrives in serious condition. And in some cases, such as the one described above, an abortion is necessary to stabilize a woman in critical condition.

Fellow Women's Rights blogger Roxann MtJoy has written before about women at the mercy of hospital ideology being denied treatment; in many areas, the closest hospital in case of emergency is a religious one. Remember, St. Joseph's did the right thing in saving a woman's life — not only morally right, but also as required by law — and was attacked for it by Catholic authorities, while the nun who approved the procedure was excommunicated. This reaction deters other Catholic hospitals from providing necessary care even if they want to. So it's up to the federal government to put on the pressure and make certain that hospitals know there's no debate when it comes to saving a woman's life, no matter what they believe their religion says.

The ACLU is asking for an investigation into possible abuses and deficiencies within the system, and an official clarification of what exactly hospitals are required to do in emergency situations like the above as long as they accept federal money. That way, women seeking emergency care can breathe a little easier, knowing that they'll get the treatment they need.

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