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Examples of services and information that may be restricted at religious health facilities

Published: 
Monday, December 12, 2016
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Here are some examples of reproductive, end-of-life and LGBT health services and information that may be restricted or denied at religiously-affiliated health facilities:

• Provision of contraceptive devices
• Tubal ligations and other forms of female sterilization
• Vasectomies
• Treatment of miscarriages, including but not limited to, counseling about miscarriages and treatment options
• Treatment of ectopic pregnancies, including but not limited to, counseling about ectopic pregnancies and treatment options
• Provision of emergency contraception (for example, whether an ovulation or pregnancy test was required prior to dispensing)
• Abortions
• Information about Washington’s Death with Dignity Act
• Referral to support organizations or cooperating providers to assist a patient in using Washington’s Death with Dignity Act
• Allow medical providers to participate in Washington’s Death with Dignity Act including, providers employed, contracted, with privileges, lessee, other
• Palliative sedation
• Palliative care/nursing support for patients who choose to stop eating and drinking to allow natural death
• Removal of ventilator support, dialysis or other advanced life support
• Removal of artificial hydration and nutrition
• Fertility treatments, including but not limited to, in vitro fertilization, preventative mastectomies
• Transgender health services, including but not limited to, genital reconstructive surgery; chest reconstructive surgery; and prescriptions for appropriate medications and feminizing and masculinizing hormones
• HIV/AIDS treatment and counseling that includes discussion of condom use
• Counseling for intersexuality
• Anal health counseling and care
• Contraceptive counseling and prescriptions
• Contraception provision related to drug trials
• Contraception provision related to noncontraceptive benefits, including but not limited to, cancer treatment, heavy periods, endometriosis, and fibroids
• Pharmacy dispensary

If you are are refused any of these healthcare services at religiously-affiliated facility for religious reasons, please let us know.

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