PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson Healthcare CEO Mike Glenn has responded to a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union that accuses the hospital of acting illegally by not offering abortion services commensurate with its maternity offerings.
Glenn’s letter, addressed to ACLU policy counsel Leah Rutman, acknowledges receipt of the letter and states, “We are currently reviewing your concern, and our intention is to respond to your inquiry in a timely manner.”
The letter is dated March 1 and was sent to the ACLU in Seattle on March 4, according to Kate Burke, the hospital’s marketing director.
It was released to the media last Friday.
On Sunday, the Peninsula Daily News incorrectly reported that Glenn had not yet responded to the ACLU.
The Seattle office of the ACLU accused the East Jefferson County hospital of being out of compliance with state law in its provision of abortion services in a Feb. 18 letter addressed to the hospital board and Glenn.
The letter asked that the hospital change its policies and practices “to fulfill its obligations under the [state] Reproductive Privacy Act.”
The hospital responded that the low amount of abortions in Jefferson County — 55 in 2013 — makes it both economically and medically infeasible as higher-volume abortion clinics provide more efficient, inexpensive and safe services.
Proponents of local abortion services have countered by saying that the lack of services discriminates against low-income women by forcing them to leave the area multiple times to get access.
The matter will be addressed at the next hospital board meeting at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the hospital auditorium at 834 Sheridan St., Port Townsend.
At that time, members of a citizens’ group who met March 13 at Manresa Castle plan to address the board during its public comment period to urge that the hospital offer or sponsor abortion services.
Hospital officials are meeting with the ACLU sometime next week to discuss the issue; both agencies confirmed the meeting will take place, though neither would divulge its day or location.
The officials are creating a reproductive services task force composed of health care providers to review services and perhaps recommend that they be expanded, Burke said.
The hospital has not disclosed a schedule for the task force, nor has it announced any of its members.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.