Religiously Affiliated Healthcare Institutions

Abstract

Religious hospitals represent a large and growing share of the United States healthcare system. As these networks expand their reach, patients may face additional threats to their ability to receive care based on their own values. Physicians practicing in religious institutions—especially in Catholic hospitals—have experienced moral distress when prevented from providing medical care in accordance with the patient’s best interest, and many are surprised by the scope of restrictions under Catholic directives. Patients need accurate information about the care they can expect to receive in religious institutions. However, many lack awareness and knowledge of how to identify religious institutions and services available. This chapter addresses the history, clinical conflicts, bioethical concerns, and empiric literature about reproductive care in US religious healthcare institutions, focusing on Catholic health systems.