In an emotional narrative that depicts a range of issues that result from the application of Catholic directives, Nurse midwife Beverly Maldonado shares a story of a pregnant woman who wanted to terminate her pregnancy after her waters broke early and could not do so because the hospital did not allow it under Catholic directives.
Conflicting Standards
While there are fifty-four policy statements and guidelines in the Catholic Church’s Ethical and Religious Directives, most of its policies go against mainstream medical science, especially in the area of reproductive health. While medical protocols recommend providing choices, including termination of pregnancy, in these situations, religious ad/views may rule out or restrict these measures.
Impact on Patient Care
Catholic hospitals lack professional approach in the provision of health care services because the core values of care delivery rely on religious doctrines that sometimes cover vital care services that are withheld from patients. In terms of insurance benefits, this can go as far as coverage for emergency procedures, contraceptives and abortions and leaves patients with few choices and possible health consequences.
Growing Influence
Secular hospitals across the United States have recently become targets of Catholic health systems’ acquisition attempts; this is a point that has raised the difficulties faced by many patients in accessing the required heath care. This is because Catholic hospitals which form the majority health facilities, REI services are partially available in most Catholic health-care systems.
Legal and Ethical Challenges
Many state laws operate to protect hospitals from legal actions due to denying some treatments based on religion, and therefore, patients cannot seek proper action. Lobbying by hospital associations is a major challenge to policies attempting to shield physicians who provide services in line with Catholic hospital policies but against the restrictions of the religion.
Struggles for Patients
For example, even in Parts that support women’s right to abortion, as in the case of Michigan resident Kalaina Sullivan, there are barriers to the use of reproductive health services. Such trends as the acquisition of hospitals by Catholic systems for instance continue to restrict choices of patients, thus straining matters such as patient’s rights and religious sectarianism in medical facilities.
Professional Dilemmas
One crucial issue that might define the conflict for health-care providers in Catholic hospitals is the tension between providing professional care and maintaining the moral stance rooted in the religious teachings. Religious beliefs or values that conflict with recommendations which a provider subsequently makes can be regarded as immoral, particularly in cases where the recommendations entail advising on treatments that are contradicted by some religions.
Advocating for Change
Advocacy for maintaining the independence of physicians and patients’ rights remains a process that relies on legislation. Nonetheless, the different stands by hospital associations give a deeper perspective on the connection between religion, ethics, and health care policies.
Reflecting on Impact
Despite systemic challenges, healthcare providers like Maldonado remain haunted by the limitations imposed on patient care by religious directives. The struggle to balance medical ethics with religious beliefs underscores the ongoing need for advocacy and reform in healthcare policy.
