ACLU Sues St. Joseph Health After Transgender Man Denied Surgery

Press release from the ACLU:

Oliver Knight

Oliver Knight [Photo from the ACLU]

The ACLU Foundation of Northern California, the ACLU Foundation of Southern California and the law firm Rukin Hyland & Riggin LLP today filed a lawsuit against St. Joseph Health Northern California for denying care to a transgender patient.

Filed on behalf of Oliver Knight, the suit argues that withholding medical care from a patient because he is transgender violates California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act.

Knight, 29, is a transgender man who was scheduled to receive a hysterectomy in August of 2017 at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka. Minutes before the scheduled surgery, Knight’s doctor informed him it had been canceled and would not be rescheduled because it was a Catholic hospital.

“The refusal of St. Joseph to allow a doctor to perform a medically necessary procedure because the patient is transgender is discriminatory,” said Jessica Riggin, a partner at Rukin Hyland & Riggin LLP. “This is a hospital that is open to the general public so even though it’s religiously affiliated, it’s illegal for them to turn away someone based on gender identity. Everyone should be able to get the care they need.”

St. Joseph regularly allows hysterectomies for patients who are not transgender. Knight’s medical records show the decision to cancel the surgery was based on an “ethics assessment” completed by a reverend with no medical training.

“Gender affirming care is lifesaving and medically necessary,” said Elizabeth Gill, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Northern California. “Transgender people are part of our community, our workplaces, and our neighborhoods and they, just like everyone else, deserve to get the health care they need.”

On the day of the scheduled surgery, Knight was admitted to the hospital and prepared for surgery. Many of the procedures caused him great anxiety. Hospital staff refused his request to wear a blue gown instead of a pink gown, telling him he was receiving a “female” surgery, and he was misgendered by the staff, even though he told hospital staff his pronouns and his records identify him as male.

Knight was hesitant to go to another hospital because he would be farther away from home and unfamiliar with the staff, and it would increase the burden on him and his family. But he eventually got the surgery at Mad River Community Hospital in Arcata. The delay caused a disruption to his life and a great deal of anxiety.

“I’ve had to deal with a lot of anti-trans bigotry but I didn’t expect it from a hospital,” Knight said. “It seems the hospital doesn’t understand how it feels to be treated inhumanely just because your body parts do not match your soul.”

St. Joseph Health is owned by Providence St. Joseph Health Network, one of the largest health systems in both the country—operating 51 hospitals, with over 25,000 physicians—and in California, where it operates 18 hospitals.

In addition to representing Knight, the ACLU Foundations of California and the National Health Law Program are launching the All Care Everywhere campaign to make sure all Californians get the health care they need. Catholic hospitals are already the largest health care provider in California and are expanding rapidly. For many, Catholic hospitals are the only option within hundreds of miles. The campaign will gather stories of people denied care and work to ensure Catholic hospitals do not harm more people with their discriminatory practices.

Read this blog post by Oliver Knight: Catholic Bishops Stopped My Surgery Because I’m Transgender in it Knight states, “[T]he hospital staff asked me to leave. I still had booties on my feet as a nurse led me outside. I felt humiliated and queasy as I sat on the curb waiting for my roommate to pick me up.”

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MamaG
Guest
MamaG
5 years ago

This is horrible! Shame on the staff who were so uncaring to this man 🙁 I have trans friends & family, and doing things like this is extremely hurtful to them! It’s not so easy to “just go to another hospital” around here, because options are limited here.

To everyone
Guest
To everyone
5 years ago
Reply to  MamaG

Seriously not trying to be rude. BUT…..The hospital made the right choice!!!unless you have a medical reason to do this. What ever person what’s to cut their uterus out of their body needs to be DENIED!!! It’s what you were BORN with. Where has BASIC right and wrong gone????? Thank goodness some people still have Morals!

exactly
Guest
exactly
5 years ago
Reply to  To everyone

exactly!!!, removing a healthy organ? and its a private hospital. Not to mention the gown thing. Hospitals have one gown for everyone! You don’t get a choice of colors.

Hannah E Konnoff
Guest
Hannah E Konnoff
5 years ago
Reply to  exactly

Wrong. The hospital has at least two colors of gowns, blue and pink. I’m a woman, and perfectly happy as a woman, and I don’t like pink. Bet you anything that if I asked for a blue gown, they would have given me one.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago

Green gowns exist too. I would not be surprised to find the color of the gown is more likely related to size or function than anything else. But this is just a guess.

Jenny Marshall
Guest
Jenny Marshall
4 years ago
Reply to  exactly

The uterus of a transmale would not be considered a healthy organ but more of a health risk to keep because of the effects of testosterone injections.
After long-term androgen therapy, ovaries may develop polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) morphology. (In both PCOS and transgender men there is an up-regulation of testosterone receptors in the ovaries.)
Untreated PCOS is associated with a possibly increased risk of endometrial cancer
According to ucsf physicians and surgeons experts recommend a full hysterectomy which would include removal of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes–5-10 years after beginning testosterone treatment to minimize the risk of cancer and eliminate the need for screening.

Hannah E Konnoff
Guest
Hannah E Konnoff
5 years ago
Reply to  To everyone

How do you know his uterus was healthy? In all likelihood it was not. Even transgender people are not likely to undergo unnecessary surgery, and it’s not like you can look at someone and see whether or not they have a uterus. Mine was removed (yes, Nosy Nancy, it was medically necessary) and even if I were to strip and spread for you you would never be able to tell.

Suzi
Guest
Suzi
5 years ago
Reply to  To everyone

Wake up. You’re living in one of those ugly dreams where you probably still have “slaves”

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  To everyone

How dare you ! It’s close mindsets like yours that make life so difficult for people in the LBGTQ community! They are people with souls and whatever they wish to do with their bodies, clothing, names , etc. Should be respectfully honored. Open your heart and mindset…

Paul
Guest
Paul
4 years ago
Reply to  To everyone

What if it were you who always felt his or her body didn’t fit? Would you want to have the procedure so you could have peace of mind? Or would you prefer to constantly feel badly about yourself?

Willie Caso-Mayhem
Guest
5 years ago

🕯He should never have been admitted let alone have the surgery scheduled. Even though there going to going to try and cry religious beliefs Oliver Knight got them by the balls so to speak.

stuber
Guest
stuber
5 years ago

If you have one, you are a boy, if you do not, you are a girl. That’s what we teach in our Freedom schools. Simple biological science. The students love it, as they know the truth when they hear and see it. I wonder what people did 200 years ago? Or, let’s imagine one of Atilla the Hun’s men telling him they identify more with the women in the hoard then the men, and could he stay behind and do the work women did? Yes, we can see it now. Oh boy.

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago
Reply to  stuber

That’s not how biological sex works for humans. It is based on karyotype.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  stuber

One of what? Most people have of one of something, a few have two of somethings and even a few have no something.

stuber
Guest
stuber
5 years ago
Reply to  stuber

St Joe’s and Redwood memorial saved my life. They sent me to UC Davis, where my prostate was removed by a powerful surgeon using a Da Vinci robot machine. Then, the surgeon placed markers in the removed prostate area, and sent me back here. They said these two hospitals were very good at finishing the cure, which they did. They have cured me of cancer. I had to undergo 7 weeks of radiation therapy, and they are as compassionate and kind as anyone could be. Their competence level is as high as can be. I know several people who they have cured also. Until you go through the process of being told you have cancer, and then the cure process, and the reason you are cured is because of the incredible people at St Joe’s and Redwood Memorial, and their devotion to you personally, keep your mouth shut. Cancer changes everything, but so does being cured.
What is personally upsetting to me is how some people spend their money. Tom Styer spends millions on stupid political adds that change no one’s mind. Rural hospitals and clinics all over the US are closing or struggling to stay open. I demand these people who waste their money on such stupid things must spend it to help the hospitals instead. Steyer could have bought several Da Vinci machines with the money he gave to corporate America to spread his lies and make them wealthier. Because he made hurtful and disgusting decisions with his money, people suffer. So as I celebrate, along with so many others who have also been cured , I am working to change the laws regarding political contributions and advertising. Anyone who gives one dollar to politicians, is a fool with their money. Steyer give millions to them. How does that help the sick and suffering? It does not. People like Steyer are evil. My doctors and nurses and techs are saint’s and heroes, they help the sick and suffering.

SmallFry
Guest
SmallFry
5 years ago

Wow.. that is very low of the hospital! This is not “Baking A Cake”.. this is a life saving medical procedure! Messed up! All Care EveryWhere! Is there even another hospital in this Area?

Gaby
Guest
Gaby
5 years ago
Reply to  SmallFry

Yes. General hospital right next door.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Gaby

General Hospital as well as Redwood Memorial are owned by St. Joe’s. Mad River Hospital isn’t affiliated with St Joes.

Road Weary
Guest
Road Weary
5 years ago
Reply to  Gaby

General Hospital closed over twenty years ago. First it was bought by St. Joseph. This large hospital chain pays no property taxes. An organization rife with pedophiles and their enablers has a lot of chutzpah to pass themselves off as the moral police.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  SmallFry

LIFE saving ????? Are you F****** kidding me!!!!! It is wrong to cut parts off your body you were born with!!! Thank you St Joseph for doing what is RIGHT!!!!

The Real Brian
Guest
The Real Brian
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Talk about hypocrisy! Circumcision has been promoted by the church….

On another note:

I don’t feel like I understand Transgenderism, so I have very little to add to this story.

Shel
Guest
Shel
5 years ago
Reply to  The Real Brian

Read the book “Paper Genders”.

Old mendo fart
Guest
Old mendo fart
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

“St. Joseph regularly allows hysterectomies for patients who are not transgender. ”

Apparently you didn’t read the article.

Steve
Guest
Steve
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Why should everyone have to accept that,thatperson thinks that she is a he,born female,DNA female, end of problem.

Hannah E Konnoff
Guest
Hannah E Konnoff
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Well then you might as well let yourself die if you get appendicitis [edit].

Actually
Guest
Actually
5 years ago
Reply to  SmallFry

This is absolutely NOT a life saving treatment. This individual likely walked into the hospital under their own power and had no medical emergencies in process at the time. It is purely elective.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Actually

Without accessing all the patient’s medical records, you have no knowledge of the validity of that claim. Nor do I.
Some of the comments on this story are absolutely disgusting and I am ashamed of those in the community who voice opinions of that kind.

As for the person who came forward about this hospitals’ blatant disrespect, I can only imagine the struggle they have gone through living in this community. I thank Mr. Knight for his strength and consider him a hero and role model for my children.

I am so grateful to the ACLU for getting involved. Its about time we step up and get with the times. Time to get educated Humboldt!

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Without accessing the patient’s record, you have no knowledge of the validity of any claim either.

Not quite
Guest
Not quite
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Yeah get with the times is right. I don’t care what kind of genitals you want between your legs or how your body is mal-aligned with your soul, there are people in the world who have it infinitely worse off than this guy just wanting to get his uterus removed because he doesn’t feel comfortable having it in place.

According to a UCSF website such a surgery is purely the choice of the patient, and only “medically necessary” because trans guys either can or can’t handle having that organ stay inside them with all the other shit they deal with on a daily basis. It’s a mental, not a medical issue. He probably got tired of breakthrough spotting.

Why can’t people in this situation just be glad they live somewhere they are able to get the organ removed in the first place, keep your f’in mouth shut, flip St. Joe’s the bird if you want, and get back to work. There are people out there suffering more than he could imagine. GET WITH THE TIMES.

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago
Reply to  SmallFry

Its not life saving, since the suicide rate between those who have sex reassignment surgery and those who don’t is hardly different.

https://youtu.be/-pxxBQm114k

Possibly in part because the results of the surgeries are unsatisfactory. I really feel for these people.
Hopefully better treatments become available.

Thirdeye
Guest
Thirdeye
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

The notion that someone’s gender dysphoria can be solved by turning the body into some sort of Rube Goldberg facsimile of the opposite sex is a cruel hoax, and a very lucrative one.

AClark
Guest
AClark
5 years ago

This is appalling, though not surprising. It is also illegal and thanks to the ACLU for taking on the case.

Chasi
Guest
Chasi
5 years ago

Right. I’m just sure this is what Jesus would have wanted. /s
Lord, save us from your ‘followers!

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago
Reply to  Chasi

Jesus would have agreed with the hospital. He condoned slavery and condemned homosexuality, which was included in the meaning of the word we translate to fornication/whoredom.

Jesus was ahead of his time but his morals should be considered appalling today.

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

Jesus was the Archetype perfect human. Sorry to rain on your parade. Your lack of morals is appalling. Now if this person were in need of a hysterectomy to save their life, shame on St. Joe’s for not performing the surgery. It is along the same lines of denying someone surgery to amputate their arm because it has gangrene. Now if the person wanted a hysterectomy for no reason at all other than they think they are not a woman, that is psychosis and she should’ve been admitted to sempervirens. That would be along the same line as a person going into a hospital and demanding that they cut off their arm because they would be better off as a one armed person. The one-arm wanter would be sent straight to sempervirens. Removing healthy body parts means there is something wrong with the person psychologically.

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago

“Jesus was the Archetype perfect human”

No a person who condones slavery is far from perfect. Dysphoria is not psychosis.

Alice Kimtu
Guest
Alice Kimtu
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

Jesus NEVER said a WORD about homosexuality!! The man made diatribes against it are in the Old Testament, which pre-dates Jesus’ time on Earth. Jesus told us to love one another. Religion and morals are no longer aligned anymore! I cite pedophile Catholic priests and Protestant youth and music ministers as current examples. One doesn’t have to look any further than the “Evangelical” Christians today who support a lying, cheating, serial abusing, perverted, fraudulent, and POS human in our White House!

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago
Reply to  Alice Kimtu

Yes he did, and remember he said,
“But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.”

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, un’til heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

He condoned slavery and condemned homosexuality, which was included in the meaning of the word we translate to fornication/whoredom.

Jesus was ahead of his time but his morals should be considered appalling today.

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

Not a single thing you said is an example of Jesus condoning slavery and condemning homosexuality. It is because of Christianity and the problems that it solved that gave birth to our Western Ideologies. Moreover that it is wrong to hold another person in bondage. Christianity achieved the well-nigh impossible. The Christian doctrine elevated the individual soul, placing slave and master and commoner and nobleman alike on the same metaphysical footing, rendering them equal before God and the law. Christianity insisted that even the king was only one among many. For something so contrary to all apparent evidence to find its footing, the idea that that worldly power and prominence were indicators of God’s particular favor had to be radically de-emphasized. This was partly accomplished through the strange Christian insistence that salvation could not be obtained through effort or worth, through “works”. Whatever its limitations, the development of such doctrine prevented king, aristocrat, and wealthy merchant alike from lording it morally over the commoner. In consequence, the metaphysical conception of the implicit transcendant worth of each and every soul established itself against impossible odds as the fundamental presupposition of Western law and society.

Erik
Guest
Erik
5 years ago

” Whatever its limitations, the development of such doctrine prevented king, aristocrat, and wealthy merchant alike from lording it morally over the commoner. In consequence, the metaphysical conception of the implicit transcendant worth of each and every soul established itself against impossible odds as the fundamental presupposition of Western law and society.’
Great comment.

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

Maybe try actually reading the Bible. Then, after you are done with that you should try reading Beyond Good and Evil by Nietzsche. He is the self proclaimed greatest critic of Christianity, referring to himself as “philosophizing with a hammer” and provides a devastating critique of Christianity. It may help you develop your ideas further. After you are done reading that, read Dostoevsky’s masterwork, The Brothers Karamazov. Dostoevsky has his atheist superman, Ivan, tell a little story called The Grand Inquisitor. Compare and contrast these two books written by these powerhouse philosophers, then come back and have a real conversation.

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

Ok kym how come my comments didn’t post? I didn’t insult anybody. Merely provided references for hmm to better their argument with as well as providing a platform on which to engage in philosophical dialogue. Is philosophy not allowed on your forum?

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Nope, they all posted. My computer must’ve been acting up. Thank you, my bad.

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Well now my post about how my other posts posted is not posting!! Gaaahh very frustrating. I know its not your fault Kym. But my posts posted, haha.

thetallone
Guest
thetallone
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

Jesus was gay. That much should be obvious.

Seems like it
Guest
Seems like it
5 years ago

It’s not right for St.Jo to refuse to perform a hysterectomy. That is clearly a medical procedure.

Concerning the pink gown issue. Isn’t it necessary for the natural gender of any patient be known in order to receive optimal care?

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago
Reply to  Seems like it

I think you mean biological sex, not “natural” gender. I believe this persons natural gender is masculine.

Stephen Crane
Guest
Stephen Crane
5 years ago

Kind of looks like pure discrimination.
It’s a hysterectomy, not a sex change, anyway. For Christ’s sake! (Really)

Mike
Guest
Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Stephen Crane

Since hospitals can’t refuse necessarily treatment I think it’s safe to say that the hysterectomy was most likely part of the sex change and the hospital is argueinfg that it isn’t necessary and that they can refuse it just like if it was a nose job.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

They refuse all kinds of non-sex-change procedures. If they want to do that then they should be a private hopsital, not a public one. You can’t have your jesus cake and eat him too.

beachcomber
Guest
beachcomber
5 years ago

Even as a Catholic, and one who was born at and has been comforted at Dominican (Sisters) hospitals, I am so offended that the Church has purchased local hospitals and are pushing THEIR beliefs through the care they do and don’t offer. This is wrong. This is why so many are leaving the Church. This is NOT what MY Jesus would do!

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago
Reply to  beachcomber

Its nice that YOUR jesus is not the jesus of the bible, that’s probably because you are a good person. How do you know your version of jesus if not via the bible though? Do you simply cherry pick the documents to arrive at an updated morality?

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

If people followed the morality of Jesus the world would be a much better place. Can you point to one bad thing Jesus did? Provide one example please.

The Real Brian
Guest
The Real Brian
5 years ago

What makes you think Jesus is more than a character in a ripped off story written by rapists?

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
5 years ago
Reply to  The Real Brian

Because there are real time historical accounts that he was a real person. Just like there are real time account ts of Mohammed, the muslim profit being a real person. For someone that claims to know as much as yourself brian, i’m surprised that fact of history has eluded you.

Brutus
Guest
Brutus
5 years ago

Yes. He cursed a fig tree because it wasn’t in season so didn’t have any figs. The poor tree withered. Bad Jesus!

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago
In my 1911 I trust
Guest
In my 1911 I trust
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

So I checked the references that you provided against the actual Bible and they are not correct. Here you try to pick and choose parts of the Bible as well as text from the Jehova’s Witness, which is not Christianity because they do not believe in Jesus being the Messiah. You take Matthew 5:17 out of context by only providing part of the verse. The Law that that is handed down by Moses that Jesus talks about are the Ten Commandments. If you need a refresher on those I will provide it, but no Commandment condones slavery or condemns homosexuality. Your first source quotes Luke 14:26 as saying ““If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.” which is quoted from the Jehovah’s Witness. What Luke 14:26 actually reads, from the Christian Bible is “Whoever comes to me cannot be my disciple unless he loves me more than he loves his father and his mother, his wife and his children, his brothers and his sisters, and himself as well”. That puts forth a far different meaning. If you cannot see the difference between a Jehovah’s Witness and a Christian or tell a difference in their beliefs and ideologies, you have no business arguing the point. Please refer to my comments above to help you better formulate your ideas. I have provided actual reading material for you that could provide you with substantial firepower to exchange ideas and philosophies with. Until then, please quit providing falsified or incomplete verses and conflating two very different religions to prove your point as well as poor references. It does not reflect well upon the validity of your points. I can also provide you with material from Carl Jung as well that might help you clarify your philosophies, should you want to exercise your mind that much. I almost forgot your little part about money changers being in the Temple. Money changers aren’t supposed to be in a sacred Temple!! Hahahaha, this was fun, better luck next time.

ikickittoyou
Guest
ikickittoyou
5 years ago

Clearly another good reason to strip non profit status from the St. Joseph Health. They are supposed serve the communities they operate. Denying service for a religious belief is a breech of that obligation. It is about time we rip the lid off of non-profit medical care and insurance. There are so many holes in regulation and enforcement it is a mean
joke right to our faces.

Really?
Guest
Really?
5 years ago
Reply to  ikickittoyou

If a hospital performs surgery to remove a non diseased or disease causing or likely to cause disease organ would be for profit. Refusing to do it would be refusing a profit.

KIDDZZ
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  ikickittoyou

Wait… St. Joe’s is non profit? LOL!! I had a simple out patient procedure done there (no surgery and less than 2 hours), and it came out to thousands of dollars I owe, even after insurance! “Non-Profit” HA HA HA HA, that has to be a joke. They must really be laundering their profits well if they are not getting caught. They are definitely making money there. Laughable!
And yes, the Catholic church has major issues. I don’t want any of those folks pointing the finger at anyone trying to tell them how to live their lives “right.” Bogus.

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
5 years ago

Gotta love the catholic church, LOL!! *very sarcastic
I can see canceling a medical procedure based on any altering of the reproductive and sex organs due to possible complications, but based on religion, is a down right disgrace. Besides, without any altering of the body, a bearded lady that looks like a man is just that, in my opinion, it does not make them transgender. Identify with whatever you want, but a line must be drawn somewhere and it seems medical and sports is about all I have. Doctors are science based, therefore if you have XX sex chromosomes, you are a female and if you have XY sex chromosomes, you are a male. Science and medicine doesn’t “identify”, you can only be one or the other. A hysterectomy is a female operation, not male. It will never take place on a male, as males do not have a uterus. Most sports are divided by gender. I don’t care if you identify as a female, if you were born with XY chromosomes, you are a man and can not compete on the female team. I sometimes identify as a dog, but I can assure you they will not let me compete in any competition designed for dogs.

Road Weary
Guest
Road Weary
5 years ago
Reply to  Perspective

Comparing a transgender person to a dog. Your ‘Christian ‘ compassion is showing. When you believe that, “women are the sheep and men are the shepherds “, it all makes sense.

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
5 years ago
Reply to  Road Weary

You are reaching and I’m far from being a christian, LOL! Not only are you reaching with his one, you have thrown in a quote that has NOTHING to do with my comment or this news article for that matter.

AAA batter batter batter…..swing….and a MISS!

Orange Sunshine
Guest
Orange Sunshine
5 years ago
Reply to  Perspective

A narrow mind speaks with a broad tongue.

Trans-formers
Guest
Trans-formers
5 years ago

What a complete tool bag. Why would you choose a Catholic hospital? Why is the procedure deemed “medically necessary procedure” by ACLU? This guy is an idiot trying to make front page news. Garbage news cycle.

Cy
Guest
Cy
5 years ago

I simply cannot fathom why anyone cares, much less gets upset at, how anyone else chooses to identify themselves. As a religious argument it’s laughable (caveat: all religous arguments are frankly ludicrous), and as a matter of biology/psychology it is up to the individual to navigate the spectrum of both.

St. Joe is in the wrong here. I wish we had better options for local healthcare but that’s the price of living in a remote rural area. We can hold them to a common standard of decency though.

Feeling Weird
Guest
Feeling Weird
5 years ago
Reply to  Cy

I agree with you. You will see my personal dilemma when my comment makes it through Kym’s moderation? I am concerned that people are allowed to make this decision at age 18 and make the rest of us pay for it. Because I know that 18 year olds make some rash decisions. I expect to be called all kinds of terrible names for not being 100% in support of everything always but…how else can we share concerns w/o sometimes saying things people don’t want to hear? Right, Kym? I’m hoping somebody can enlighten me because I’m feeling weird about public funds being spent on these very expensive what I see as elective procedures. No hate from me, just concern.

Mariahgirl
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Feeling Weird

I don’t care what they do with their bodies but I have a real problem with being able to use medical to pay for it.. I know a couple of 18 year old college students that were together, a boy and a girl and he was going to have a sex change but after taking the hormones for quite some time he decided he did not want to change that he liked being a guy. I think a lot of it is peer pressure when they are in [email protected] he ~

Feeling Weird
Guest
Feeling Weird
5 years ago
Reply to  Mariahgirl

Thanks for your opinion. I am trying to figure this out. I guess 18 is an adult but it seems so young for such an extreme decision and maybe we are making it too easy when we let them do it for free? Plus…I’m a cheapskate and I think I pay too many taxes for extra stuff, so that influences my opinion too. Not hating on trans or anybody, just that we were shocked to find out it is publicly funded and in some circles encouraged.

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago
Reply to  Cy

I think they are in the right but for the wrong reason. There is good medical evidence that supports denying the procedure.

Thirdeye
Guest
Thirdeye
5 years ago
Reply to  Cy

Agree, if someone fantasizes being the opposite sex that’s their business – thoughts being the individual’s ultimate castle and all that. Fantasy is a coping mechanism for some and gay drag culture is a fount of creativity. Gays do well in the entertainment business in part because they’re good at fantasy. But there are lines that get crossed. Taking fantasy as literal reality is delusion. Demanding that other individuals support such a delusion is as invasive to privacy as condemning someone for engaging in fantasy.

Weird Feelings
Guest
Weird Feelings
5 years ago

This has nothing to do w/ the story (St Joe’s- shame on you for this behavior)…I don’t understand trans-gender issues. A good friend has a daughter who is now going to male. She is 18 and suddenly( to us) decided to become male. Not old enough to drink but old enough to make that very serious decision! And it’s all being paid for by Medi-Cal. That’s our tax money being used to transform an 18 year old girl into a dude. We are pretty friggin’ liberal but are disturbed by this. Like I said- I don’t understand so I try to not judge. But….weird. Can’t help but think that for some it’s just the next level of teenage rebellion- after piercings and tattoos this is all they got. 18 years old! She got in with a group of artistic kids in Santa Cruz and it turns out a bunch of them are doing this…it’s kind of a thing that’s happening now. And it’s free- covered by CA taxpayers. How do you feel about this?

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago
Reply to  Weird Feelings

Some of this is part of a very disturbing trend. Some is a horrible medical issue for which we can offer very little effective help.

KIDDZZ
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Weird Feelings

I’m fine if people (hopefully older than 18) want to do this type of thing, as long as it doesn’t effect me, and it shouldn’t. However, if I’m somehow helping to foot the bill, well that changes things a little bit. Folks who want this type of surgery should sure as heck pay for it themselves, unless medically necessary for some reason that I am unaware of. No way I want my tax dollars going for that, or any piercings, tattoos, etc.

Sid Vicious
Guest
Sid Vicious
5 years ago
Reply to  KIDDZZ

Someone has a plan, if it isn’t you, then it’s time to revisit the history books.

The push for a third gender is not out of a larger humanitarian effort to include transgenic attitudes, it’s simply to incorporate robots into the corporate tax agenda. Catherine Austin Fitts, talked about this with a venture capitalis at the Aspen Institute years ago.
X is the mark of the AI beast

Ullr Rover
Guest
Ullr Rover
5 years ago
Reply to  Sid Vicious

Do you have a link. Ms. Fitts has a lot of good things to say.

Sid Vicious
Guest
Sid Vicious
5 years ago
Reply to  Ullr Rover

I did a quick search on 3rd gender with C.A.F, and this came up.

“She expects that it will start by legally creating a third gender, hence the obsession with transgenderism. Then, following the tried-and-tested model of the corporation, robots will be endowed with personhood, followed by citizenship and most importantly, by taxpayer status.”

https://forbiddenknowledgetv.net/gender-x-and-automation/

Problem
reactION
SOLUTION

$id Vicious
Guest
$id Vicious
5 years ago
Reply to  Ullr Rover

Like corporate personhood…this movement is a precursor of things to come.

http://thefederalist.com/2018/02/20/rich-white-men-institutionalizing-transgender-ideology/

“This can hardly be a coincidence when the very thing absolutely essential to those transitioning are pharmaceuticals and technology.”

Sheesh
Guest
5 years ago

Respect natural law.
Society shouldn’t force us to treat people who choose to modify their gender as normal.
Its not.
We shouldn’t have to cater to people’s gender fettishes.
They should have their aftermarket work done by a specialist who wants to be involved in transgender medicine.
They could probably charge a fortune like plastic surgeons do.
It’s stupid that we even have to hear about this nonsense.
There is nothing that binds us together as a nation anymore.
Time to throw in the towel.
Progressive liberalism is wrong.

Canyon oak
Guest
Canyon oak
5 years ago
Reply to  Sheesh

Totally agree.
There is nothing that binds us together as a nation anymore.
Just a matter of time till the secessionist warlording starts

Hannah E Konnoff
Guest
Hannah E Konnoff
5 years ago
Reply to  Canyon oak

SO your sense of national identity is based on someone else’s choice of whether to look and act like a male or a female? Now that is peculiar. You really feel that if you are required to be polite to people regardless of who they are your entire life and sense of well being is going to collapse? If you can’t call people names and force them to conform to what you think is right, the nation is going to disintegrate in to chaos? I gotta tell you buddy, it’s actually possible for you to just let other people do their own thing, be polite, and go home and do your own thing. You don’t have to agree with everyone. No one is telling you what you have to be, just that you have to treat everyone with the same respect that you want everyone to treat you with. How would you feel if you went to the hospital to get a back surgery and someone told you that you couldn’t have a back surgery at that hospital because you don’t practice yoga regularly? Only people who take really good care of their backs get treated for back problems at this hospital, because everyone else is not worthy. And the nearest hospital that you can go to to get your surgery is 30 miles down the road.

Canyon oak
Guest
Canyon oak
5 years ago

E pluribus Nihilum, Mr. Kannoff

Feeling Weird
Guest
Feeling Weird
5 years ago
Reply to  Sheesh

“Normal” isn’t always great. I don’t understand it all but I think we should treat everybody as we want to be treated. I think gender identity and sex identity shouldn’t prevent us from treating each other respectfully. It’s really private stuff that has no bearing on character. I don’t get it but that’s okay…I don’t have to understand everything to be a decent and kind person to others. I don’t think they are threatening our national identity as much as laziness and greed.

The Real Brian
Guest
The Real Brian
5 years ago
Reply to  Feeling Weird

Great comment!

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago
Reply to  Feeling Weird

Its very sad that someone even has to make this clear. Thank you for doing so.

LayDee
Guest
LayDee
5 years ago

A hysterectomy is a form of birth control and should have had nothing to do with how this person identifies. The fact that he was prepped for surgery and then denied? Not denied before surgery prep? Seriously messed up.

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago
Reply to  LayDee

No, tubal ligation is a form of birth control. Hysterectomies are performed for other reasons but result in infertility. They should not be performed without good medical reason.

barn owl
Guest
barn owl
5 years ago

Not to all transgender humans seeking hysterectomies:
Do not go to a Catholic hospital!
You have many other options where religion or prejudice are not an issue.

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago
Reply to  barn owl

“Catholic hospital” is oxymoronic to my ear, similar to “Christian scientist”. Do they perform exorcisms at a catholic hospital? Funny enough the jew hospitals are fantastic, but most Jewish doctors are only ethnically Jewish these days

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

Most Jewish hospitals were founded to serve poor Jews as part of a Judaic tradition of service to Jews. Most Catholic hospitals were founded to service the poor because of the Christian value to imitate Jesus who ministered to the poor. But you are wrong that ethics derived from Judism don’t effect treatment in hospitals that are owned solely by Jewish organizations. In truth, a number of medical ethical issues are shared between the two such in end of life care.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4524405/

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

I cant be wrong about a statement I never made. Read what I wrote.

Interesting paper but I cannot find a real world case of the clash between Jewish and secular medical ethics in an American Jewish hospital, can you?. My ability to research is temporarily limited.

Pike Mortar
Guest
Pike Mortar
5 years ago

Why does a dude need a hysterectomy?

Or is this a woman who identifies as a dude?

I’m confused.

Run what ya brung, I always say. Applies in racing and in genitalia.

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago

“Hospital staff refused his request to wear a blue gown instead of a pink gown, telling him he was receiving a “female” surgery”

Gowns indicate biological sex, not gender identity. A hysterectomy is a procedure performed on biologically female patients. Its horrible that these facts made him feel bad but they are facts none-the-less. Accurate descriptions of my own medical issues don’t make me feel good either.

Segacasper
Guest
Segacasper
5 years ago

Wow,so many judgemental people,maybe HE had problems with his uterus,maybe fibroids,maybe anemia,maybe cysts you all don’t know his health history ..I’m sorry if they do hysterectomies all day long on females with no question as to why ,then this is wrong and hypocritical

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Segacasper

Of course the hospital documents why. No one gets an operation just because they want it.

Wtf really
Guest
Wtf really
5 years ago
Reply to  Segacasper

But you say he but then uterus.. Women have a uterus

.. So confusing… Just be yourself man

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
5 years ago
Reply to  Segacasper

Can you please provide a link to a medical paper that shows a man with a uterus?

J
Guest
J
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

It says disorder not transgender? Also birth defect to dumb it down . Not I want to be a man when I’m born a woman. This says that you could be born with both or some of both sex parts. This is not a choice so how is it this is part of this article.

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
5 years ago
Reply to  J

I asked to see medical paper where a man had a uterus and she provided me with some information. I asked because people are saying “he” went in for the surgery and my simple mind is thinking, a man doesn’t have a uterus to remove. Apparently I was wrong.

YourFriendJen
Guest
YourFriendJen
4 years ago
Reply to  Perspective

Men can be born with a uterus. Women can be born with testicles. It happens every day. Every one who has the mindset of if you have a penis you’re a man and If you have a vagina you’re a woman should really do their research on intersex disorders.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intersex

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago

The most robust study on this issue,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3043071/

“The most thorough follow-up of sex-reassigned people—extending over 30 years and conducted in Sweden, where the culture is strongly supportive of the transgendered—documents their lifelong mental unrest. Ten to 15 years after surgical reassignment, the suicide rate of those who had undergone sex-reassignment surgery rose to 20 times that of comparable peers.”

Other studies have also shown increased risk of suicide for those who have had reassignment surgery. We need better ways to help these people!

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

Having known old people who went through a sex change- all male to female whether coincidence or not- none were very content. Although if they had been, I suppose I would not have heard about it.

Anyway IMO people to look for solutions to personal problems in mechanical ways whether drugs or surgery. Most the problems come along for the ride anyway.

I don’t understand the ethical decision in a place where body modification is routine but it certainly will never be discussed by the hospital because, unlike the individuals, the hospital can not by law discuss personal patient matters in public. Anything made public will therefore be the patient’s view and nothing else. The hospital is likely to be sued either way.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Once the patient or the ALCU make a press announcement, it should remove privacy restrictions on the people they are suing. There is obviously an advantage to seeking public involvement of a press release that voids the privacy regulations.

Thirdeye
Guest
Thirdeye
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

Yep. For clarity, the 20x figure is with comparison to the population at large. Post-ops have either a 4x or 5x greater risk of suicide than gays, so the argument that the suicide rate is driven by lack of social acceptance is pretty weak. IMO if someone is so conflicted about their body that they undergo voluntary mutilation, they’re a big chunk of the way towards suicide anyway.

Interestingly, women who get breast implants also have a significantly high suicide rate.

FollowThe Money
Guest
FollowThe Money
5 years ago

“Knight’s medical records show the decision to cancel the surgery was based on an ‘ethics assessment’ completed by a reverend with no medical training.”

The one and only “reverend” employed by Providence St. Joseph Health Hospital of Eureka in 2017 was Reverend David Groe, 30+ year employee of the hospital and long time pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eureka. Reverend Groe can expect an upcoming opportunity to both be deposed by plaintiff and defense attorneys as well as elaborate on the matter in a California courtroom.

Pat McRae
Guest
Pat McRae
5 years ago

From Page 9 of the filing at https://www.aclunc.org/docs/KnightvStJosephHealth.pdf:

“30. Mr. Knight’s medical records show that the decision to cancel Mr. Knight’s medically necessary care was initiated by an “Ethics Assessment” completed by David Groe. Upon information and belief, Mr. Groe is a reverend, with no medical training or medical licensure.”

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Pat McRae

A bunch of lawyers making up a press release and you expected to see other than one side descriptions? A press release written by an attorney advocate is inherently incomplete and certainly not a medical record.

the more i learn the more i question :)
Guest
the more i learn the more i question :)
5 years ago

Ok ,first, I imagine the hospital has an obligation to make sure when having surgeries that they are medically necessary or could improve a condition rather than cause harm for ethical reasons and or they could end up sued later for allowing one that was not. So then that leads to what are the guidelines and policies for physicians and local hospitals to deem medically necessary, and is it hospital or physician alone or team together who makes that decision? WE dont know the details due to hippa laws of why this was being stated as medically necessary by the physician. This was biologically a woman identifying as a man , yes, but the article does not state that as being the reason for the surgery. It states the physician said it was medically necessary. The hospital reverand with no medical training decided it was not. The hospital should have known their stance and announced such much sooner than before this person was already in and prepared . Something is amiss .
Second ,st joes took a stance a couple of years ago that they would now honor their catholic traditions more and not allow any type of medical surgery on a woman that they considered a form of birth control ,including a tubal ligation, which they had previously allowed, even if a physician stated it was medically necessary . If i recall this caused quite an upset in house and they lost one of their OBGyns over this. So yes they did a change of policy that over ruled physicians ability to make choices in best interest of their patients even if having another child would place them in a dangerous health condition. It would be interesting to hear if they also consider hysterectomies that are often medically necessary for many various health conditions, including cancers , as a form of birth control as they do tubal ligations, since both would result in inability to conceive. Or do they just pick and choose who they decide to use their religious discretion on ? I think rather than making this about this persons gender the public should ask more questions on policy and know what their local choices are . If in deed they do allow other women to have medically necessary hysterectomies and they chose not to allow this person to have one due to fact they as a religious hospital do not like their life choices or how they identify as an individual, then they have committed an obvious prejudiced double standard on their own policy based on religious bias. That brings to concern what other medically necessary or life saving procedures could they refuse with this type of screening. Food for thought… Let he without sin be the first to step into the light . public needs to know polices upfront so they can make alternate choices for health care in this community if they need to. It could be his physician only had practice rights at this particular hospital in our area that is limited.

guest
Guest
guest
5 years ago

What do you think would be the result of the hospital trying to defend a malpractice suit if the patient later come to believe that the hospital allowed a surgeon to make money off a surgery that was not in their best interest? Maybe there are real red flags involving this particular patient that the hospital is prevented from disclosing. It really sucks for the ACLU to beat their own belief drums in public if they really had the interests of this individual in mind. But no outrage, no donations.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  guest

guest,
thanks.

tyson
Guest
tyson
5 years ago

St Joseph Hospital is right. This “man” didn’t need to be in a surgical hospital… it needs a MENTAL hospital! So sorry to tell the truth. I know it hurts to hear it, but people don’t “need” sex-change operations… they need MENTAL HELP!

Taurusballzhoff
Guest
Taurusballzhoff
5 years ago

This story relates another poor decision, from this nefarious, backwards, anachronistic and badly operated company.

Remember, if you are female and make the mistake of being a patient at St Joseph’s, remember that they will refuse to treat women who desire accepted and legal Women’s Health Services, such as Therapeutic Abortion and Tubal Ligation.

Don’t forget that the Pope ultimately controls which services women can receive, at St Joseph’s in Eureka California…

Also, when I worked at Redwood Hospital, I was told that I would have to attend a 3 day “retreat” which was mandatory. I asked several employees there exactly what the “retreat” was concerned with, and was told only that it was like an “intensive encounter group”. I told them I wouldn’t be attending their festive rituals, and would not be interested in “Catholic Indoctrination Camp” now, or later. Shortly after, I found that I was not scheduled to work for the next 3 weeks, not a single hour. When I asked for an explanation, I got the run around, but to make a long story short, I found another job, right away, and resigned.

Any organization that treats their employees the way St Joseph’s does, deserves whatever protests the employees can muster. Any healthcare organization that treats their patients in the manner described above, deserves to be dragged through the courts to the absolute limit. This person has rights federally guaranteed, and the stupidity exhibited by St Josephs appears to be blatant and dispensed without any sensibility or concern.

If you are not Catholic, or if you want something they don’t want to give, you are S.O.L. I am glad this patient got the care as desired or as necessary, and I support the decision to file suit. I wish this person well, and a successful result to the lawsuit. It will be a long road.

It’s a ridiculous company, run by some nasty characters, and it is time to force the organization to change, or relinquish control.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago

https://www.aclusocal.org/en/cases/minton-v-dignity-health

Previous ACLU suit on same issue under appeal.

Taurusballzhoff
Guest
Taurusballzhoff
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Thank you, Mr Guest.

This appears to have been a decision that was ill-considered, completely discriminatory, and illegal. Dignity and St. Joseph’s have shown that they have no regard for State and Federal law, and often.

Adventist Health, in Willits, Ukiah, and Marysville, is no better, and gets away with, well, murder, in their regular course of business. Clearly, it is time to get the church out of the hospital business, and, the best way to force this, is to take your business elsewhere.

Many local, Community, and District Hospitals are also clearly under the control of churches. Jerold Phelps Hospital in Garberville, is one of them.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago

Nonsense. It’s simply a case being litigated. It’s not final and probably won’t be until the US Supreme Court weighs in.

THC
Guest
THC
5 years ago

It’s actually pretty hard for any woman to get a hysterectomy, unless there is a medical reason for it. Much like it would be very hard to get a doctor to amputate your arm, if there was no medical reason for it.

https://www.nwhn.org/age-can-get-hysterectomy/

Why, why, why?
Guest
Why, why, why?
5 years ago

So how come the patient just didn’t go to Mad River in the first place? It was just down the road. Especially if there was a possibility of a Catholic Hospital denying treatment? The arguments by the individual’s lawyer and ACLU chapters seem like they were looking for a fight.
Don’t get me wrong, people have the right to do what they want with their own bodies, but so do other people who want to conduct their business as they see fit. And there was another hospital near by, that would perform the procedure, contrary to what the lawsuit claims.
What are we, as political groups within this great nation, so obsessed with what the other person does the we have to attack it when we don’t agree with it? Especially when there are other viable alternate solutions to the problem.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Why, why, why?

Because it involves more than what the patient wants. It involves the hospital personnel too.

Why, why, why?
Guest
Why, why, why?
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

The same question applies to the hospital staff. They don’t have to work at that hospital if there is another hospital just down the road.

nan
Guest
nan
5 years ago

It is my understanding St Joseph sold the hospital to a company who chose to keep the name St Joseph so the reason for denial is a false as far as “the church ” part goes

Our country needs to quit trying to put humans in categories we are all here together so we should learn to work with each other.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  nan

The person looking to categorize is the person electing to have surgery to fit another category. Somehow categorizing seems a universal choice.

Humanity
Guest
Humanity
5 years ago
Reply to  nan

But maintains the Catholic rules???
Seems unlikely

Anon
Guest
Anon
5 years ago

So much speculation and uninformed commentary.

I don’t get why /how the MD that conspired with the patient to schedule this was allowed to do so. And for the patient to get thru the pre op appointment, and show up day of surgery , getting to the point of donnning surgical gown to only then get shut down, and 86’d just seems overly dramatic and questionable . And even though his doctor went ahead with the procedure at another hospital I’d name him in the lawsuit too, like this was the first he’d heard of policy’s at St Joe’s ?

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Anon

Probably the first clear indication the hospital had was a visual or a safety double check by a bunch of confused nurses, techs and admin people who had no protocol to follow.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago

A lot of people undergoing gender reassignment operations change their minds,
but there is no going back.

Maybe the doctor was worried about that.

Blessings.

tyson
Guest
tyson
5 years ago

The same people who advocate transgenderism LAUGH at “Alex Jones says chemicals in water turns frogs gay! TEE HEE!!!!!! (dribble)”. Well, the joke is on them! Google it. They are victims of the thoughtcrimes they attempt to deny. Just like the poor gullible saps who pretend chemtrails don’t exist. Low IQ. Flat earth. 2 wines=bad. 3 wines=good. It’s all about Science©®™, Baby!

Willow Creeker
Guest
Willow Creeker
5 years ago
Reply to  tyson

I hope I never have to meet you.

Biiaaatch
Guest
5 years ago

My hysterectomy was at St. Joes, and the gowns were green. Two other surgeries there, the gowns were green. Never seen any pink or blue gowns there. Just saying

Duke
Guest
Duke
5 years ago

How on earth will he survive? Pfftttt.

Eldon G. Whitehead
Guest
Eldon G. Whitehead
5 years ago

Who in the hell cares about what the medical situation was, I, for one will travel all the way to Mad River Hospital from now on from Fortuna. I have had nothing but problems with Redwood Memorial and St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka. They have been sending me bills for payments that should have been written off per my Health Insurance people and even when I make payments (and I have the bills and checking records), the balance doesn’t go down. I sent them a nasty note the other day about this and told them that they were scamming the Public. I had some tests done at Redwood a couple of months ago and my Doctor blew a stack (and he was a ER Doctor at Redwood) as they didn’t know what they were doing. Had to have them redone by my other Doctor who has the equipment to perform the service. Redwood and St. Joe is going down the “tubes” in a hand basket. I’m not a Catholic, Buddhist or any other Religion. THERE IS ONLY ONE, I REPEAT, THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD. LIKE IT OR LUMP IT.

THC
Guest
THC
5 years ago

Generally it’s not the hospital’s making huge amounts of money, it’s the insurance companies..

http://truecostofhealthcare.org/hospital_financial_analysis/

Not a trans fanatic
Guest
Not a trans fanatic
5 years ago

I hope he or she, or whatever pronoun is appropriate in this case, loses the suit. This in not a medical issue, it’s an ideological one.

Mom
Guest
Mom
5 years ago

After I had my first child at Redwood Memorial I was told if I wanted an iud implanted I would have to go to Planned Parenthood. RMH does not implant them as it goes against their religious beliefs. I was annoyed but made the appointment with PP. To me if they want to push their religious agenda they should not be considered a public non profit hospital.

THC
Guest
THC
5 years ago
Reply to  Mom

Mom, would you be okay with a white supremacist forcing a Jewish Bakery to make a cake with a picture Hitler on it?

leftissick
Guest
leftissick
5 years ago

stop forcing your mentally ill ways on the rest of us!

Rocky
Guest
Rocky
5 years ago

In order to get to the point of being prepped for surgery you have to go to several doc appts… get it approved through insurance for whatever reason is submitted…. go through pre-op a week before etc. He didn’t just “walk in” and ask for a hysterectomy. To be in a gown getting ready for a scheduled surgery and then denied for any reason other than it being life threatening to go through with it is absolutely reprehensible on the part of St. Joe’s. Sue the shit out of them.

John Galt
Guest
John Galt
5 years ago

Imagine going to school for over a decade, spending hundreds of thousands to be able to understand the human body on a level very few of us do, to get a job at a hospital in an operating theater and then have the government step in and tell you that you have no choice in what operations you do, and it is illegal for you to have a choice on whether or not you want to provide a service you worked so hard to gain on somebody.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago

The one thing that is sure is he did not just “walk in” for surgery. It was a plan involving the patient, doctors, lawyers, support groups, social workers, etc. Did they make it clear to the hospital when they knew what they wanted was against hospital policy or did they conspire to withhold information ? Certainly a law suit was contemplated but was it contemplated before the surgery date? Was it part of the goal to set up a lawsuit as the doctor surely knew what problems were involved. The press release is big on outrage but very slight on details.

People are choosing sides based on already established hostilities, not on facts. Because it is all much more complex than this press release.

shak
Guest
shak
5 years ago

Lots of patients have had to reschedule various surgeries due to last minute changes in policies, insurance, health problems, absentee surgeon, overbooked ER, and so on. I don’t understand why it’s a problem for one patient for one reason, when it’s not problematic, however very annoying and frustrating, for other patients with other problems. It’s all a piece of the puzzle called life for most of us. I’m sure it will all be disclosed in the discovery process, but the question remains, will the case and discovery be reported non-biasedly? I swear these lawyers are trying hard to turn the avg person into gamblers. Ante up folks!

Sid Vicious
Guest
Sid Vicious
5 years ago
Reply to  shak

Shakman…

I did a quick search on 3rd gender with C.A.F, and this came up.

“She expects that it will start by legally creating a third gender, hence the obsession with transgenderism. Then, following the tried-and-tested model of the corporation, robots will be endowed with personhood, followed by citizenship and most importantly, by taxpayer status.”

https://forbiddenknowledgetv.net/gender-x-and-automation/

What is happening??????
Guest
What is happening??????
5 years ago

Just so amazing that So many people are becoming transgender. Now days you have 12 year olds desiring to be the opposite sex. So f****** tired of hearing “he/she was born this way” bullshit!!! that’s nothing but a sickening New “trend” that is parent led. If my son wanted to dress like a girl I’d say no. If it persists I’d say talk to me about it when you’re 18 and are capable of making an ADULT decision!!! It’s APPALLING to see that some parents are allowing their child to make this Life Changing decision. And more appalling that DRs will actually allow kids to take hormones to start the process of Transitioning. Geeez what is happening to people. Seriously concerning.

George
Guest
George
5 years ago

I don’t feel Saint Joseph’s Hospital has any right to make a decision like this. I honestly hope they get investigated and sued by many different organizations for their practices. They are out of control and thrive to make money not to provide health care. I have set in their emergency ward taking up space when I could have gone home while people are waiting in the waiting room for care. I believe the staff is very concerned and do the best they can with a crippled health system. If you recall St Joe’s started refusing to allow a vasectomy a couple of years ago. They are trying to make the people of Eureka live to the standards of the Catholic religion. That is not right. And for all of those of you who don’t know the old General Hospital on Harrison used to be a county hospital and the General Hospital was located on Harris between H and I streets. We had three hospitals then and I am sure that St Joe’s would not be controlling the medical field and the doctors they way they do now if we had three hospitals. I would like to see St Joe’s put out of business and a hospital move in that cares for their patients.

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  George

That sounds like you think the hospital is making huge money off of the people of Humboldt County. I suspect that without a lot of juggling to meet government regulations, it’s more likely we would have no hospital but Mad River without St. Joes. We are an area fund largely by Medicare (if the hospital is lucky) or MediCal (if the hospital is unlucky.) I have seen people complain about a large profit but the details of that are not mentioned. The reality is that having a large profit by a non profit is not likely.

I too have been in the ER in St. Joes and on occasion had to wait while they juggled people around. I imagine it depends on the nature of the complaint and how many people show up. It’s not that I think St. Joes does not have management issues but I certainly do not feel that I would like to rely on Mad River where I have had problems. Frankly, the reason St. Joes exists is because of it’s catholic values and those values only effect non emergency, non life threatening procedures where traveling elsewhere is an option. So no one is “forced” live by Catholic standards anyway. And I think that, with current government regulations, the result of St. Joes leaving would not result in a better hospital. It might result in no hospital at all like many other rural places have experienced lately.

Humanity
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Humanity
5 years ago

Countries with better education and universal medical care….never have to deal with the kind of stupidity so vividly expressed in the comments here. Your ignorance and bigotry ought to embarrass you, but your stupidity precludes.

Most Respected Profession
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Most Respected Profession
5 years ago

There are so many statements by the patient that simply did not make sense to this nurse of over 30 years. #1. I have cared for several patients at St. Joe’s who had their gender reassigned. They were cared for with the same quality care as any other person #2. Any surgeon working at St. Joe’s is aware of the values of the Church and should have made the patient aware of whether or not the surgery could occur. The patient DID have a choice to travel 15 min. North to get the surgery. #3. St. Joe’s has NEVER had pink gowns for female patients, only blue or most recently, green. #4. The post-op nurses would never discharge a patient without having a family member/volunteer/ friend accompany them outside. There is more to this story than meets the eye.