[Lolipop Jones]

Take a look at the Connecticut Medicare/Medicaid new provider application. It is 30+ pages long and full of detailed conditions.

If the state added to that application that "the provider shall not deny to any patient the provision of services which are covered by the program and which the provider is licensed and certified to provide" it would in effect tell the hospital to dispense the abortion pill.

It's the fear of political and public pressure, not any legal or contractual issue, which has kept the state from doing so.

Until now I guess. I still think it would be a good idea for hospitals and doctors to drop out of the Medicare/Caid systems - it would be great for health care in the long run and this issue could be a catalyst.

[SoothingDave]

If the state added to that application that "the provider shall not deny to any patient the provision of services which are covered by the program and which the provider is licensed and certified to provide" it would in effect tell the hospital to dispense the abortion pill.

Yes, "if."

The state should be prepared, however, to pick up the slack and have contingencies in place to serve the communities that would suffer when the Catholic hospitals close their doors.

[GovernmentShrinker]

I still think it would be a good idea for hospitals and doctors to drop out of the Medicare/Caid systems - it would be great for health care in the long run and this issue could be a catalyst.

Exactly!