Community Corner

Attorney General Investigates Hoag Following Abortion Ban

Hoag Hospital says it is fully cooperating with the investigation by California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris into its affiliation with St. Joseph Health System.

California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris this month launched an investigation into the new partnership between Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and the St. Joseph Health System.

The Attorney General's office would not comment Friday on the scope of the investigation, or whether it was prompted by Hoag's recent decision to ban elective abortions, which resulted in a heated protest last week in front of the hospital. However, sources say investigators are asking doctors about the ban and the timeline for the decision.

"The office is investigating allegations regarding the approval process and Hoag's compliance with the conditions the AG’s office imposed on the affiliation agreement," Lynda Gledhill, Harris' spokeswoman, said. "I can’t comment any further than that."

Although Gledhill could not confirm if the investigation was focused on the hospital's elective abortion ban, Lisa Abaid, a Hoag gynecologic oncologist, told the Orange County Register she was contacted by the Attorney General's office and asked about the impact the elective abortion ban could have on patients.

According to the newspaper, Abaid was asked when she "was made aware of the ban and what I was told back in September about any changes in services that would take place as a result of the merger."

Hoag Hospital released a statement regarding its position on the investigation saying, “Hoag is cooperating and responding to any and all AG inquiries regarding Hoag’s compliance with the conditions the AG imposed on its consent to the affiliation.”

Hoag Hospital announced its decision to ban elective abortions in May.

Hospital officials have said the choice was made by its board following a "clinically-led evaluation of several services" and was based on the "principle of providing the best available and highest quality healthcare for the communities we serve."

Hoag CEO and President Robert Braithwaite recently said the decision to stop the practice of elective abortions at Hoag was due to "many factors," including St. Joseph's opposition.

Opponents said the ban was religiously inspired by St. Joseph Health System's Catholic faith.

Last week, hundreds of pro-choice and pro-life supporters protested in front of Hoag Hospital to voice their abortion beliefs.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK IN THE COMMENTS

Was Hoag right to ban elective abortions? Should the state investigate the matter?

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