Peoria, Ill.-based OSF HealthCare is set to take over operations of Dixon, Ill.-based Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital on Jan. 1. With the merger, the hospital will operate under a new name and new reproductive care policies, according to a Dec. 30 Shaw Local report.
As an OSF Healthcare hospital, the newly named St. Katharine Medical Center will follow ethical and religious directives set forth by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops beginning Jan. 1, the system's media coordinator, Paul Acro, told Shaw Local.
The health system also addressed community concerns over what reproductive care options the hospital would offer in the report.
"Our physicians and advance practice providers are committed to helping patients make informed decisions, which entails discussing the range of options available to patients, as well as expected benefits, risks, burdens and any potential side effects," OSF HealthCare said in a statement to Shaw Local.
Regarding abortion care, the health system said it provides "medically indicated treatment" to preserve a woman's health and life in circumstances such as ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and other serious health issues.
"Respect for human life and dignity prevents us from participating in directly intended abortion," the system told Shaw Local.
Additionally, as a Catholic healthcare organization, the health system offers "fertility awareness" methods of contraception to prevent pregnancy, as opposed to sterilization procedures.
The hospital said that it provides "medical and surgical treatments that cooperate completely with the reproductive system," according to the report. "This approach helps to restore health and function so that conception can occur within its natural context," OSF HealthCare said.
Read the full report here.