[SoothingDave]

Of course not, but I am sure that this hospital had to sign provider contracts with the state and the Medicare intermediary in order to recieve Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement. Not quite the same thing as the McDonalds example.

They have similar arrangements with all insurance plans. That doesn't mean that Blue Cross therefore can dictate what a Catholic hospital must do.

Like I said, codswallop.

[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.