Wis. DOJ: Catholic hospitals can't deny privileges

August 7, 2013 (MILWAUKEE) -- The Wisconsin Department of Justice says three Catholic hospital systems can't deny abortion providers admitting privileges.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports (http://bit.ly/12YVuWY) that DOJ attorneys wrote in court filings last week that federal law prohibits hospitals that accept federal funds from discriminating against physicians who participate or refuse to participate in abortions.

The filings say Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Columbia St. Mary's Health System and Hospital Sisters Health System's plans to refuse admitting privileges to abortion providers would be violate that law.

A new state law requires abortion providers to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. Planned Parenthood and Affiliated Medical Services have filed a federal lawsuit arguing the requirement would force two abortion clinics in Appleton and Milwaukee to close because providers at the facilities lack admitting privileges.

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