The proper role and scope of government

[Lamplighter]

I usually try to post only those parts of a link which give the most information,
assuming the Dwellars will follow the link and read more of the details.

On the following editorial, I am posting all of the first several paragraphs, and leaving
the opinions of the NY Times for further reading in the link for those who are interested.

NY Times
THE EDITORIAL BOARD
December 8, 2013

When Bishops Direct Medical Care

Beyond new state efforts to restrict women’s access to proper reproductive health care,
another, if quieter, threat is posed by mergers between secular hospitals and Catholic hospitals
operating under religious directives from the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops.
These directives, which oppose abortions, inevitably collide with
a hospital’s duty to provide care to pregnant women in medical distress.
This tension lies at the heart of a federal lawsuit filed last week by the American Civil Liberties Union.

The suit was brought on behalf of a Michigan woman, Tamesha Means,
who says she was subjected to substandard care at a Catholic hospital
— the only hospital in her county —
after her water broke at 18 weeks of pregnancy.
Doctors in such circumstances typically induce labor or surgically
remove the fetus to reduce the woman’s chances of infection.
But according to the complaint, doctors acting in accordance with the bishops’ directives
did not inform Ms. Means that her fetus had virtually no chance of surviving
or that terminating her pregnancy was the safest treatment option.

Despite acute pain and bleeding, Ms. Means was sent home twice,
and when she returned a third time with a fever from her untreated infection,
she miscarried even as the paperwork was being prepared to discharge her again.
The fetus died soon after.

The case has gained attention because Ms. Means is not suing the hospital
for medical negligence but the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The A.C.L.U. is arguing, on her behalf, that having issued the
mandates and made them conditions of hospital affiliation, the conference
is responsible for “the unnecessary trauma and harm” that Ms. Means and
“other pregnant women in similar situations have experienced at Catholic-sponsored hospitals.”

How the suit will play out is unclear, but it showcases an important issue.
Catholic hospitals account for about 15 percent of the nation’s hospital beds and,
in many communities, are the only hospital facilities available.
Allowing religious doctrine to prevail over the need for competent emergency care
and a woman’s right to complete and accurate information about her condition
and treatment choices violates medical ethics and existing law.
<snip>

I believe this is a crucial lawsuit for the future of health care insurance in the US.


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