Contributed by:
Seth Davis/YourHub.com staff
Article Contributed on: 11/29/2007 4:34:25 PM
While browsing the news today, I came across a story that could potentially affect Wheat Ridge citizens and many others in the Jeffco area. Doctors at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center, 8300 W. 38th Ave., are trying to
prevent the sale of the hospital to Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health Systems, a Catholic group.
The doctors from Exempla who are protesting argue that most fertility procedures would be ceased due to Catholic ethical directives, and that certain end-of-life procedures, such as removing feeding tubes if the patient is in a vegetative state, also would be restricted.
I'm not claiming to be a psychic, but I can already foresee a lot of controversy over this issue. Not only are the doctors worried about changes in the care they will be able to offer their patients, but I'm sure anyone who visits the hospital or potentially could be a patient might have thoughts on how the possible sale would affect local health care. What makes this issue so interesting to me is the division in ethical views between the two hospital groups.
Colorado Attorney General
John Suthers said he will make a decision by the end of the year, but I'm interested to hear your thoughts on the matter now. Do you think the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System should be denied the sale because of its religious affiliation and practices, or do you think that Sisters should be allowed to purchase Exempla?
You can give us your opinion by either posting a comment on this blog, e-mailing
daviss@YourHub.com, posting your own letter to the editor on this site or calling me at 303-954-2457.
I hope to get quite a few responses so that we can run them all in an upcoming Thursday print edition, so feel free to give your take. You can read the letters we have received so far by clicking
here.
And as always, you're welcome to post your thoughts on any other local issue that you think needs some attention.