The American Civil Liberties Union wants Durango’s Mercy Regional Medical Center to end its policy regarding anti-abortion practices because, the ACLU said, the policy violates state and federal laws.
In a letter sent Wednesday to the state, the ACLU charged that Mercy disciplined a doctor for suggesting a patient’s condition might be fatal if she chose to continue her pregnancy.
ACLU lawyer Sara Rich sent the letter to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment asking for an investigation of Mercy’s policy against recommending abortions for women with life-threatening conditions.
Mercy is owned by Catholic Health Initiatives, and it follows the Ethical and Religious Directives for health care adopted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The directives include a ban on associating with abortion providers.
“Mercy Regional’s moral objection to abortion does not exempt the hospital from complying with the laws ... and the hospital cannot invoke its religious status to jeopardize the health and lives of pregnant women seeking medical care,” Rich wrote in her letter.
Mercy spokesman David Bruzzese said the hospital is aware of the ACLU’s complaint and is following up directly with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
“We feel the statements made in the complaint are based on inaccurate information and look forward to resolving the issue directly with CDPHE,” Bruzzese wrote in a prepared statement.
Mercy is a faith-based hospital, and its employees are committed to carrying out its mission and ministry “in a manner that is consistent with our religious and ethical directives,” he said.
