Recently, we told you about Sedro-Woolley High School’s plan to partner with PeaceHealth, a Catholic hospital, to run a school-based health center. While the center would be based in the high school, it is believed that middle school students could access it as well.
An executive with PeaceHealth originally said they would refer students out for abortions to Planned Parenthood. After pushback from Students for Life and the community, the group may have backed down, but the group is being unclear on their plans.
When asked for comment, a spokeswoman for PeaceHealth wrote to Students for Life, saying they would provide, “Preventive health services, administering medication to students with chronic conditions, enrolling students in health insurance, and providing mental and oral health care on site so students miss less classroom time.”
When specifically asked about referrals for abortion, the spokeswoman said, “No referrals to providers or clinics providing abortions will be provided; however, PeaceHealth embraces its moral obligation to provide all reasonable information necessary for patients and/or their surrogates to make informed decisions about their care.” In response to a follow-up question, the spokeswoman stated, “Our providers are empowered to discuss options with patients, including abortion; however, they can not give referrals.”
Finally, PeaceHealth was specifically asked about whether or not they would insert IUDs inside the school, to which the spokeswoman stated, “No, they would be referred to our clinic (PeaceHealth Medical Group) or clinic of their choice for that.” In response to a question about why a Catholic hospital is inserting contraception, contrary to Church teaching, the spokeswoman stated, “Regarding the insertion of IUDs (that will not happen at the school clinic, but could happen at a PeaceHealth or other clinic), if, within the context of the confidential patient/provider relationship, it is decided that an IUD is medically necessary, a PeaceHealth provider can insert an IUD.”
Let’s break down all the ways this situation is jacked up.
- A Catholic hospital at first saw no problem in saying they would refer students out for abortions to Planned Parenthood
- Then they backed down (maybe), and said they’d just insert IUDs into middle school girls and high school girls.
- The Catholic Church opposes all forms of artificial contraception, and for pro-lifers, hormonal birth control like IUDs, which can act as abortifacients.
Do you think this is a major issue? We do. Katie Lodjic, Washington Regional Coordinator for Students for Life of America and a Sedro-Woolley High School graduate herself noted, “Healthcare corporations like PeaceHealth should not be allowed to circumvent parents by inserting IUDs into minor girls without their parents’ knowledge. Parents deserve to be involved in the medical decisions of their minor children but the school board plan would undermine parental rights.”
Students for Life of America will continue to fight against school-based health centers that circumvent parental rights and push birth control and abortions on students.
Students for Life of America previously worked to opposed a Planned Parenthood-connected SBHC in Reading, PA.
If you wish to share this blog in its entirety please e-mail Matt Lamb at mlamb@studentsforlife.org for permission.
