Washington state attorney general: hospitals must perform abortions
August 23, 2013
The attorney general of the state of Washington has announced that any hospital in the state that receives public funds must perform abortions.
Bob Ferguson based his ruling on the text of a 1991 law that stipulates a public hospital “may not provide maternity care without abortion and birth control.”
The attorney general’s ruling does not apply to private hospitals, but does apply to public hospitals—including those with religious affiliations. The ruling also applies to hospital districts, and prohibits public contracts with private hospitals that do not provide abortion services.
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Further information:
- State AG: Public health districts must offer birth control, abortion (Post-Intelligencer)
- Washington: Catholic Hospitals May be Required to Perform Abortions (Life News)
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Posted by: DrJazz -
Aug. 24, 2013 8:44 AM ET USA
Time for the religious hospitals to give up the public funds.
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Posted by: Chestertonian -
Aug. 24, 2013 12:49 AM ET USA
One might argue in return that maternity care is a misnomer for abortion and contraception, since the whole point of both is to avoid or end maternity. They should be separated from maternity care entirely, and moved to separate public facilities not associated with Catholic hospitals. Failing that, the mergers of Catholic and public hospitals in WA state should be voided. In no way and at no time should the state be allowed to dictate conscience!
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Posted by: unum -
Aug. 23, 2013 9:50 PM ET USA
The Supreme Court will be busy hearing First Amendment freedom of religion cases if the Obama administration and their surrogates, like AG Bob Ferguson keep up this harassment. It seems the progressives just can't take "NO" for an answer!
