When All Roads Lead to Rome: The Catholic Hospital Dilemma Impacts Entire US Healthcare System
- 1 Department of Urban Planning Health and Public Administration, Eastern Washington University, Spokane, USA
- 2 College of Arts, Letters & Education, Eastern Washington University, Spokane, USA
Abstract
With the stripping of 2 Catholic Hospitals of their status as Catholic in 2010, much information has come forward on the 72 Ethical and Religious Directives (ERDs) of the Catholic Hospital Association of the United States (CHA). With this, the authority of the bishops of the Catholic Church in relationship to delivery of health care has been called into question. The decision of the bishop in Phoenix has raised clinical, ethical and operational concerns which are explored. CHA claims that 1 in every 6 patients in the USis in a Catholic Hospital. The questions related to the public on the impact of the ERDs for their healthcare are staggering. Is one’s healthcare in the hands of a bishop should some ethical dilemma occur? These questions are explored.
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