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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

Suit Seeks to End Long Delays in Mental Health Evaluations for Individuals in Jail

News Release, Published: 
Friday, October 3, 2014
People with mental health disabilities are experiencing lengthy delays in receiving court-ordered competency evaluation and restoration services in criminal cases. The ACLU of Washington, Disability Rights Washington, and allies are seeking an injunction to protect their due process rights.  They should not be warehoused in jail while their conditions deteriorate. 
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ACLU Urges WSU Not to Allow Religious Doctrine to Restrict Health Care and Education

News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
The ACLU is urging Washington State University’s Board of Regents to decline to support the financing of a new building unless all medical training and practices there will be unrestricted by religious doctrine.
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The Hobby Lobby Decision: Imposing Religious Beliefs on Employees

Published: 
Monday, August 11, 2014
Religious freedom is a fundamental right in our society. But while everyone has the right to his or her religious beliefs, those beliefs cannot be imposed on others.
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Psychiatric Patients Entitled to Treatment, Not Warehousing, Advocates Tell State Supreme Court

News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Advocates for psychiatric patients have filed a friend of the court brief with the Washington Supreme Court urging it to uphold a trial court ruling invalidating a practice called “boarding” – holding civil commitment patients in hospital emergency rooms unable to provide adequate treatment.  The brief was filed by statewide mental health, disability rights, and civil liberties organizations.
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Businesses Should Not Be Allowed to Use Religion to Discriminate

Published: 
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Today the U.S. Supreme Court heard Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. and Conestoga v. Sebelius. These high-profile cases are about discrimination.
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Briefing on the Reproductive Parity Act to be held today

News Release, Published: 
Monday, March 3, 2014
Today, a combination of Washington State Senate and House Democrats will hold a briefing on the Reproductive Parity Act (RPA) in coalition with women’s rights and civil liberties groups. The briefing is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 1 at the Capitol.
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New Department of Health Action on Religious Hospital Mergers Doesn't Go Far Enough to Protect Patient Access

News Release, Published: 
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
New Certificate of Need review requirements are a step forward in holding merging hospitals accountable, but more changes are needed.
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Hospital Mergers and Religious Restrictions on Health Care Event

Published: 
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
I walked through Town Hall Seattle’s doors last week for the forum on “Hospital Mergers and Religious Restrictions on Health Care” ready to work at the ACLU-WA booth. Handing out information and answering general questions. I watched as articles about mergers between secular and religious hospitals flew off the table into the hands of worried people. As more and more people flowed into the lobby, I was struck by the community’s concern about the situation. More than 400 people attended the event.
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