California Catholic hospital illegally denied emergency abortion, state attorney general says

SAN FRANCISCO – California’s attorney general is suing a Catholic hospital, saying Providence St. Joseph Hospital illegally denied emergency abortion care to a woman whose pregnancy was no longer viable after her water broke 15 weeks after carrying twins.

Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the lawsuit Monday, which was filed that day in Humboldt County Superior Court and details the case of Anna Nusslock. In February, Nusslock was 15 weeks pregnant when her water broke and was rushed to Providence in Eureka, where she lives.

According to the complaint, the hospital doctor told Nusslock he could not perform an abortion “as long as one of Anna’s twins had detectable heart sounds, unless Anna’s life was is in sufficient danger.” The doctor recommended he take a helicopter to the University of California, San Francisco for emergency services. But she doubted her insurance would cover the $40,000 cost of the trip.

She asked if she could drive to UCSF, and the doctor told her that if she drove 270 miles (435 kilometers) south, or about five hours, to San Francisco, she would “hemorrhage.” and would die,” according to the complaint. Nussbaum was transferred to Mad River Community Hospital, 12 miles away, where she underwent an abortion in a labor and delivery unit that is expected to close this month, according to Bonta’s office.

“They broke the law and we are taking steps to make sure they never do it again,” Bonta told a news conference.

A spokesperson for Providence Health and Services, the hospital’s parent company, said in a statement Monday that it was looking into the complaint it had just become aware of. The hospital said Tuesday it had contacted Nusslock to apologize and was reviewing training and education in emergency medical situations.

“This was a tragic situation that did not meet our high standards for safe, quality, compassionate care,” Garry Olney, executive director of the Providence Northern California Service Area, said in a message addressed to employees. “We will learn from this and renew our commitment to ensuring the care and experience we provide meets our high standards, every time and in every care setting. »

Bonta’s lawsuit states that California’s emergency services law prohibits “patient dumping” and requires emergency departments to provide emergency care to those who need it. The lawsuit alleges violations of state civil rights and unfair competition laws.