Catholic Hospital Agrees to Provide Emergency Abortions After State Lawsuit

Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka complies with California law following allegations of denying critical care to a hemorrhaging patient.

The California Attorney General sued Providence St. Joseph Hospital for allegedly refusing emergency abortion care to a woman in a life-threatening situation.
The lawsuit claims the hospital violated the Emergency Services Law by directing a hemorrhaging patient to another facility 12 miles away.
Providence St. Joseph has agreed to comply with the law, allowing emergency abortions when necessary to protect a patient's health.
The agreement is temporary and subject to court approval, with no admission of liability from the hospital.
This case marks the first lawsuit under the Emergency Services Law, highlighting challenges in balancing state abortion protections with religious hospital policies.