The implications of affiliations between Catholic and non-Catholic health care organizations for availability of reproductive health services
Weisman, C.S.; Khoury, A.J.; Cassirer, C.; Sharpe, V.A.; Morlock, L.L.
Women's Health Issues Official Publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health 9(3): 121-134
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 1049-3867 PMID: 10340018 DOI: 10.1016/s1049-3867(99)00002-xDocument Number: 246179
This article summarizes multiple case studies on decision-making with regard to reproductive health services in affiliations between Catholic and non-Catholic organizations. A database on the number and types of affiliations was compiled during 1990-1996 to provide a national profile of such organizations. Findings of case studies revealed that affiliations between Catholic and non-Catholic health care organizations are diverse in structure, motivated by market and financial issues, and display diverse strategies with regards to reproductive health services. In addition, strategies for providing more comprehensive women's health care were evident in 3 of the 4 case studies. Availability of contraceptive services, female and male sterilization, and infertility services generally was unchanged as a result of affiliations. This shows that affiliations themselves did not significantly affect policies or practices with regards to their provision. Successful negotiations between Catholic and non-Catholic partners involve explicit strategies concerning reproductive health services, some of which curtail specific services and some of which enhance services. Finally, policy-makers have an important role in ensuring that communities receive full disclosure of the nature of affiliations and their possible impact on availability of services.