Utah Hospital to Halt Some Abortions

[krazy]

Utah Hospital to Halt Some Abortions
Associated Press

Originally published April 21, 2004, 7:55 AM EDT
SALT LAKE CITY -- University Hospital no longer will terminate pregnancies in cases involving fatal fetal deformities, fearing it could lose state funding under a new anti-abortion law. Other hospitals may do the same.

Cases such as anencephaly, where babies develop without a brain, will be referred to abortion clinics or out-of-state hospitals, or the women will have to carry the babies to term.

A bill enacted by the 2004 Legislature cuts off state funding to any agency that performs abortions except in cases of rape, incest or "permanent, irreparable and grave damage to a major bodily function of the pregnant woman."

"It puts us in the position of wanting to provide care for patients in an extremely difficult situation, and, at the same time, obey the law," said Kim Wirthlin, University of Utah associate vice president for +health+ sciences.

About 5 percent of the university's $1 billion +health+ sciences budget comes from the state in the form of education funding for the medical, nursing and pharmacy schools and reimbursement for treatment of Medicaid patients.

Rather than risk that funding, the university will bar its doctors from performing "medically indicated terminations."

"We are a state institution. It puts the hospital at risk. It probably would put the whole university at risk," said Neil Kochenour, University Hospital medical director.

Other hospitals, including those run by Intermountain +Health+ Care, are reviewing their policies in light of the legislation, which goes into effect May 3.

St. Mark's Hospital, which has referred women to University Hospital for fetal deformities, will have to find another option.

It is estimated that in Utah, 70 women a year terminate their pregnancies due to fatal fetal deformities.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, said trying to define fetal deformities is a "slippery slope."

"What is the definition of what's 'incompatible with life'? How long is it inconsistent with life? A breath? A minute? A month?" he said. "I have an inherent discomfort with trying to decide which child should live and which child it's appropriate to terminate their life.

"We can't overturn Roe v. Wade. But if we can put a serious dent in abortions being performed, that is consistent with the legislative intent," he said.