Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka, California, a Catholic-owned hospital, has agreed to provide emergency abortion care after a lawsuit was filed by the California Attorney General’s office. The lawsuit alleged that the hospital violated state laws by denying emergency abortion care to a woman who miscarried. The hospital has agreed to comply with the state’s Emergency Services Law, which prohibits hospitals from denying patients emergency care. This agreement will remain in place while the litigation continues.
The case involved a local chiropractor who arrived at the hospital bleeding and in severe pain after her water broke prematurely during a pregnancy with twins. The hospital refused care, citing internal policies, and instructed her to drive to another facility. The lawsuit alleges that this put her at risk of permanent harm or death.
This situation highlights the ongoing struggle in California between religious beliefs and access to healthcare, particularly regarding abortion services. Despite strong abortion protections in the state, hospitals and anti-abortion centers have faced challenges in navigating these issues. This lawsuit is the first of its kind under the Emergency Services Law.
Providence St. Joseph Hospital has not admitted liability in the case but has agreed to comply with the law moving forward. California Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed satisfaction with the agreement, emphasizing the importance of ensuring access to life-saving health services. The hospital’s parent organization, Providence, did not immediately provide a comment on the matter.
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