By Todd Hatton
Murray, KY – Critics of a proposed merger between two Louisville hospitals and Catholic Health Initiatives are worried that it could limit reproductive care for employees at the two hospitals. Employees at Jewish and University of Louisville hospitals have health plans that cover birth control and sterilization. But workers at Lexington's St. Joseph Health System don't because its parent company, Catholic Health Initiatives, believes the care conflicts with Catholic teachings. As merger plans move ahead, it is not yet known if employees will be forced to pay out-of-pocket for things like birth control pills and tubal ligations. Officials for the merging hospital systems haven't given any specifics on health insurance, saying they haven't finalized the health plan for the new company.