Catholic health systems, healthcare, RFRA — June 16, 2015 at 6:47 pm

ACLU of Michigan to host educational event on patients’ rights at religiously affiliated hospitals

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June 24 event in Auburn Hills is open to the public — RSVP today to learn how to protect your rights.

The ACLU of Michigan is hosting an educational event to help the community understand their rights at religiously sponsored hospitals. The June 24th event in Auburn Hills focuses on patients’ rights in hospitals operated by Catholic healthcare providers.

As I’ve been writing about in my series here at Eclectablog, community hospitals such as Crittenton Hospital in Rochester, Mich., are merging with other health systems to relieve financial stress. But when the merger is with a religiously sponsored health system, religious doctrine can override medical standards of care, patients’ wishes and access to care, especially for patients seeking end-of-life, miscarriage and gynecological care. The consequences can be dangerous and even life-threatening.

The ACLU of Michigan works directly with communities to find ways to protect patients’ rights and access to care when non-religious hospitals are proposing mergers, which is the case with Crittenton Hospital.

Especially if you live in Rochester — but even if you don’t — you’re invited and urged to attend this event to learn more about how local hospital mergers can affect your access to important medical care.

The event is being held at the Auburn Hills Public Library* in the Large Meeting Room, 3400 E. Seyburn Drive in Auburn Hills on June 24th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. You can RSVP online or contact Merissa Kovach for more information.

[Image credit: Photo by Kim Hill via Flickr]

*This program is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Auburn Hills Public Library.

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