SEATTLE, Washington, Mar 2 (LifeSiteNews.com) - As is typical with most Catholic-secular hospital mergers, the compromise reached during the Providence and Swedish hospital merger in Seattle was unacceptable to both supporters and opponents of abortion.
National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Act League (NARAL), complained bitterly that the 50 or so elective abortions performed at Swedish hospital would be discontinued. However, Richard Peterson, chief executive officer of Swedish Health Services said that all Swedish hospitals - including the new Providence campus - will provide tubal ligations, vasectomies, contraception and the morning-after pill.
The Seattle Times reports that the agreement between the hospitals, signed Monday, must still be approved by state and federal regulators. The archbishop also must recommend an “alienation of property” for Providence Medical Center in Seattle, which requires Vatican approval. This will mean Providence will no longer be a Catholic facility.