University of Louisville officials have begun negotiations with a local provider to offer tubal ligations as the academic hospital prepares to merge with two Kentucky hospitals in the Denver-based Catholic Health Initiatives system, according to a Courier-Journal report.
If an agreement is reached, University of Louisville physicians would perform the procedures at the currently unidentified facility. University Hospital CEO James Taylor would not confirm whether the provider is in Louisville, according to the report, but did say it is "geographically accessible."
Only two other providers in Louisville are licensed to provide maternity services. Norton Healthcare denied involvement in negotiations, according to the report, while Baptist Healthcare System said officials were not available for comment.
Reproductive services has been a pressing issue in the merger, which involves Louisville's University Hospital and two systems within Catholic Health Initiatives: Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare in Louisville, and St. Joseph Health System in Lexington, Ky.
Louisville's Archbishop recently indicated that he would not approve the merger unless all three participants abided by Catholic healthcare directives, while Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear called on University Hospital to maintain its public mission and offer a full range of services.
Read the Courier-Journal report on reproductive services and University Hospital.
Related Articles on Louisville and Lexington Hospital Merger:
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University of Louisville President Asked to Defend Hospital Merger With CHI
If an agreement is reached, University of Louisville physicians would perform the procedures at the currently unidentified facility. University Hospital CEO James Taylor would not confirm whether the provider is in Louisville, according to the report, but did say it is "geographically accessible."
Only two other providers in Louisville are licensed to provide maternity services. Norton Healthcare denied involvement in negotiations, according to the report, while Baptist Healthcare System said officials were not available for comment.
Reproductive services has been a pressing issue in the merger, which involves Louisville's University Hospital and two systems within Catholic Health Initiatives: Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare in Louisville, and St. Joseph Health System in Lexington, Ky.
Louisville's Archbishop recently indicated that he would not approve the merger unless all three participants abided by Catholic healthcare directives, while Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear called on University Hospital to maintain its public mission and offer a full range of services.
Read the Courier-Journal report on reproductive services and University Hospital.
Related Articles on Louisville and Lexington Hospital Merger:
Louisville Hospital System Merger Lays Out Potential Board of Trustees
Kentucky Attorney General: Hospital Merger Needs Governor, State Approval
University of Louisville President Asked to Defend Hospital Merger With CHI