Block Dignity Health's Attempt to Acquire Hospitals Across the State -- Deadline Sept. 27
Email Script for Wendi Horwitz
California Deputy Attorney General
Wendi A. Horwitz
Email: wendi.horwitz@doj.ca.gov
Fax: 213-897-7605
Mail: 300 South Spring Street, Suite 1702, Los Angeles, CA 90013
The script below is intended to guide you, but it's essential to write your message in your own words. Copy-pasted emails are discounted. We have to show that these issues mean so much to us that we’re putting in serious effort. Send your comments by September 27.
Email Script
Hi my name is ________. I am a constituent from zip code ______. I am also a member of Indivisible SF.
I am writing to ask that the California Attorney General's office block Dignity Health's attempt to acquire hospitals across the state.
This proposed merger would create a massive Catholic health entity that would place severe religious-based restrictions on reproductive health care, services for transgender patients, and services in low-income communities. This will cause a huge burden for people in areas with few hospitals
Background
Dignity Health and Catholic Healthcare Initiatives are creating a mega Catholic health entity that would forbid all reproductive health services, including all birth control methods, sterilization, miscarriage management, abortion, the least invasive treatments for ectopic pregnancies, and some infertility treatments.
No exceptions for risks to a patient’s health or even life. LGBTQ patients would face discrimination and be denied health services at some of these hospitals, too. (The NYT just did a story on these issues, which you can read here.) We have concerns that Dignity will try to reduce its commitment to emergency services, charity care, and other services that are of particular importance to low-income and uninsured or underinsured communities. NHeLP, the ACLU, and other advocates across the state have been working together for years to push back against health care restrictions at these and other hospitals.
The ACLU has sued Dignity Health in particular twice in California over denial of reproductive health services and health care for transgender patients. This proposed merger, affecting Dignity Health hospitals across California, could further restrict access to essential health care.
Source:
California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom