Catholic Hospital Failed to Provide Emergency Abortions: ACLU

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The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan is suing a Catholic health-care provider for failing to provide women with pregnancy complications with emergency abortions.

The lawsuit, filed last week in federal court, alleges Livonia-based Trinity Health Corp. has repeatedly violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act by failing to treat women in hospital emergency rooms, regardless of whether they have insurance, and provide them with medical screening and stabilization care if they believe they are experiencing an emergency health problem, The Detroit News reports.

“We’re taking a stand... to fight for pregnant women who are denied potentially life-saving care because doctors are forced to follow religious directives rather than best medical practices,” Brooke Tucker, ACLU of Michigan staff attorney, said in a statement.

In its lawsuit, the ACLU said hospital policies prohibit Trinity doctors from terminating a woman’s pregnancy, even if continuing the pregnancy puts her life at risk.

“Catholic bishops are not licensed medical professionals and have no place dictating how doctors practice medicine, especially when it violates federal law,” the statement continued.

Eve Pidgeon, a spokeswoman for Trinity Health, said a federal court previously dismissed a similar ACLU claim.

“The Ethical and Religious Directives are entirely consistent with high-quality health care, and our clinicians continue to provide superb care throughout the communities we serve,” Pidgeon said. “We are proud that more than 25,000 licensed physicians work directly with our health system and share our commitment to people-centered care.”