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Healthcare Access

The ACLU of Washington believes that everyone should have access to lawful best care medical treatment. Yet in Washington state religious health systems, and even public hospital districts, are denying Washington residents access to important health care services. The ACLU of Washington is enforcing our state laws and fighting back against the use of religion to discriminate in order to ensure Washington residents have access to reproductive, end-of-life and LGBT related health care services, referrals and information.
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Resources

ACLU and Allies Receive Responses on Walgreens-Providence Collaboration

Published: 
Monday, February 29, 2016
On December 14, the ACLU of Washington along with 18 other public interest organizations that advocate for patients’ rights and comprehensive health care access sent a letter to Walgreens requesting information about its strategic collaboration for the opening of up to 25 clinics in Washington and Oregon with Providence Health & Services, a Catholic health care provider.
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Groups Are Concerned Walgreens's Collaboration With Religious Health Provider Will Limit Consumer Access To Important Medical Services

News Release, Published: 
Friday, December 18, 2015
The ACLU-WA and 18 allies are seeking assurances that religious doctrine won’t restrict consumers’ access to medical services at new Walgreens’s clinics.
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Innovative LEAD Program Is Showing Success

News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
An evaluation of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program has found that it is reducing recidivism rates for participants. Under LEAD, instead of prosecuting low-level drug and prostitution suspects, law enforcement officers divert them to treatment and other social services. 
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Court Orders State to Stop Violating Rights of People with Mental Illness in Jail

News Release, Published: 
Friday, April 3, 2015
A federal judge has rebuked the State of Washington and ordered it to provide competency services speedily to people with mental illness in jails. The ruling came in a suit on behalf of incarcerated pre-trial detainees who have sat for weeks and months awaiting court-ordered services.
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Trial to Solve the State’s Long Delays in Providing Mental Health Services to Individuals in Jail

News Release, Published: 
Monday, March 16, 2015
Under state law, whenever there is reason to doubt that individuals with mental disabilities is competent to stand trial, the court must order an evaluation by one of the state mental hospitals to determine competency and treat these individuals.  If competency is restored, the criminal case may proceed; if it is not restored, the criminal charges are dismissed.
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Reproductive Freedom: A Fundamental Right to Choose or Refuse an Abortion

Published: 
Monday, March 2, 2015
The ACLU of Washington has filed a lawsuit against Skagit Regional Health, a public hospital and clinics, for failure to comply with Washington’s Reproductive Privacy Act (RPA).
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Woman Sues Public Hospital District to Ensure Access to Abortion

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, February 19, 2015
The ACLU of Washington has filed a lawsuit seeking to have Skagit Regional Health comply with Washington’s Reproductive Privacy Act (RPA).  The suit is part of a new statewide effort by the ACLU to ensure that all public hospitals are complying with the RPA.
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Pregnant? Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine, and Catholic Hospitals

Published: 
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Regardless of whether you have been pregnant or not, chances are you can recite the long list of things to avoid in pregnancy: alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, deli meats, unpasteurized cheese, and the list go on.
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