By Drew Adams
Murray, KY – The proposed merger of three hospital systems prompted questions from a panel of Kentucky lawmakers yesterday. Under the plan, the University of Louisville Hospital, Jewish Hospital, St. Mary's Healthcare and St. Joseph Healthcare would merge. Most of the questions asked by lawmakers centered on the availability of reproductive health care. Because Roman Catholics oppose procedures like tubal ligations, they would no longer be offered at these medical facilities. Instead, hospital officials say such treatments would be offered at facilities not involved in the merger. State representative Mary Lou Marziann says alternatives must be made available.
When it's not an emergency, officials say, a woman could receive reproductive health care at another hospital. But, when care is urgently needed, the Chair of obstetrics-gynecology at University of Louisville Hospital Sharmilla Makhija says no patient would be turned away.