Approximately 150 physicians affiliated with Abington (Pa.) Memorial Hospital strongly oppose the hospital's proposed merger with Huntingdon Valley, Pa.-based Holy Redeemer Health System, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer report.
The physicians oppose the merger because Abington Memorial plans to stop performing abortions to comply with Holy Redeemer's Catholic doctrine. The plan has spurred criticism from other parties as well. Abington Memorial CEO Laurence Merlis has been "deluged with outraged letters, emails and social media messages from clergy, women's groups, professional organizations and community residents," according to the report. Physicians also complained that they were not consulted before Abington and Holy Redeemer signed a letter of intent.
Holy Redeemer did not respond to a request for comment, and Abington released a statement saying that reproductive-health services other than abortion and end-of-life care policies would be unchanged, according to the report.
The physicians oppose the merger because Abington Memorial plans to stop performing abortions to comply with Holy Redeemer's Catholic doctrine. The plan has spurred criticism from other parties as well. Abington Memorial CEO Laurence Merlis has been "deluged with outraged letters, emails and social media messages from clergy, women's groups, professional organizations and community residents," according to the report. Physicians also complained that they were not consulted before Abington and Holy Redeemer signed a letter of intent.
Holy Redeemer did not respond to a request for comment, and Abington released a statement saying that reproductive-health services other than abortion and end-of-life care policies would be unchanged, according to the report.