It’s a bit of an understatement to say the proposed merger of University Hospital and Catholic Health Initiatives, which owns St. Mary’s Health Care and Jewish Hospital, was met with controversy.
Increased breadth and quality of service? Great. More research opportunities through shared funding? Sign us up. But then, the subject turned to reproductive health services. Would women seeking sterilizations now be
turned away?
A fair question, but discussion has been one-sided and ill-informed.
“I don’t think it should have to be any extra standard because it’s a hospital it should just be provided, regardless of affiliation,” said Kayla Penny, a senior sociology major.
Women won’t be turned away, but they will be transferred. Due to a recent agreement, when women come in for tubal ligations, they’ll be sent over to Baptist Hospital East for consultation and the procedure.
Dr. David Dunn, executive Vice President for health a airs at U of L, even said they’d “arrange for transportation.” The partnership “will ensure our ability to provide reproductive services for our patients after the merger occurs,” Dunn said.
That seems a lot less harrowing than the journey most people envision. It’s not like women will be cast out onto the street and forced to hitchhike across town. In reality, $15 million has been reserved to continue reproductive health services at University Hospital, according to the U of L O ffice of Communication and Marketing.
That hardly seems like the process will be altered as much as people think.
