Washington, D.C. (20 May 2009) – Catholic hospitals in the Archdiocese of Boston may soon refer women for abortions in a joint medical venture between Centene Corp. and archdiocese-run Caritas Christi Health Care.
In the midst of growing anxiety over the impact of nationalized health care on Catholic hospitals and charities, many dioceses are scrambling to ethically compromise with a potential federal health care system. This could mean mandated procedures and services opposed to Catholic teaching on the dignity of the human person.
At least one diocese may be willing to cut a deal with the devil, says American Life League.
In March, the archdiocese announced it would defer the decision to go forward with the plan to the National Catholic Bioethics Center. While no decision has been announced by the NCBC, the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts reported that, as late as May 11, representatives of the Caritas/Centene partnership affirmed that the joint venture, effective July 1, will include abortion and contraception.
“Since when is the Catholic Church in the business of referring women to the nearest abortion mill?” asked Judie Brown, president of American Life League.
The venture, the first of its kind, makes Catholic health care patients eligible for government subsidized coverage.
The catch? Catholic health institutions will be forced to make “family planning” referrals – meaning abortion and birth control.
American Life League was cofounded in 1979 by Judie Brown. It is the largest grassroots Catholic pro-life organization in the United States and is committed to the protection of all innocent human beings from the moment of creation to death. For more information or press inquiries, please contact Katie Walker at 540.659.4942.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- Catholic Action League: Catholic Action League Denounces Caritas Christi Deal http://www.catholicactionleague.org/
- Boston Globe: Mass. Regulators OK Joint Caritas-Centene Healthcare Venture (13 March 2009) http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/13/mass_regulators_ok_joint_caritas_centene_healthcare_venture/
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