Debate continues on Boston health-care agency's bid for contract involving abortion coverage

March 05, 2009

Pro-abortion groups in Massachusetts are staking out their opposition to a bid by Boston's Catholic health-care chain Caritas Christi to become involved in a state health-insurance program. The potential involvement of Caritas Christi in the program, which requires coverage for abortion, had already been denounced by Catholic pro-life activists.

Despite assurances from Caritas Christi that abortion referrals would be done through a separate agency, representatives of the abortion lobby suggested that the Catholic agency's involvement could create difficulties for women seeking immediate access to abortion. Andrea Miller of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts told the Boston Globe: "The question is, can you actually obtain the care in a timely manner without having to go through a million hurdles and call six different places and go to four different locations."

Meanwhile informed sources told CWN that Cardinal Sean O'Malley had been caught off guard by the Caritas Christi bid for the state insurance contract. The Boston archdiocese has not yet offered a public comment on the issue.

 

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Further information:

• State urged to delay decision on Caritas (Boston Globe)
• Boston Catholic health-care agency denounced for involvement with abortion (CWN, Mar 4)
• Why would a Catholic agency ask for involvement with the abortion industry? (CWN Commentary, Mar 4)