St. Joe’s Says No
Hartridge said she isn’t that worried about locals’ access to birth control information because it’s available from other venues in Humboldt’s communities. (Oddly enough, one can even tap right into a highly informative text on birth control methods on St. Joseph’s own website). But, looking at the big picture, she does worry about backsliding. In the early 1990s, California had the highest teen birthrate. Then a state program that funds low-income family planning began; the teen birth rate has since dropped 40 percent.
“Even in California, when the Catholic hospitals take over public health care systems there can be restrictions placed on the kind of care that’s provided,” she said. “It’s a reminder to us that when you have a powerful entity that affects many people’s lives, there is the possibility someone’s care will be restricted and that someone may be harmed by care not provided.”
Perhaps noteworthy, in this vein, is St. Joe’s casting off of Fortuna’s Redwood Women’s Health Center earlier this year, forcing it into private practice. St. Joseph CEO Joe Mark was quoted in the Times-Standard as naming financial reasons for the decision, as well as St. Joe’s policy against providing birth control — one of the services the center provides.
St. Joe spokesperson Courtney Hunt-Munther said last week that the request for SRPP not to bring condoms and birth control information to the hospital’s health fairs “just goes along with the Catholic Church.”
“It’s not a new thing,” Hunt-Munther said. “It’s our understanding they didn’t bring [birth control information] in the past. [Olson] just wanted to make sure they didn’t bring any stuff in the future. Because that’s been our policy.”
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on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Recent short stories
June 11, 2009
Eye of the Beholder
June 11, 2009
Double Down
May 21, 2009
Pearls and Swine
Hank Sims
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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