Religion, reproductive health and access to services. A national survey of women.

This paper examines the findings of a public opinion survey conducted to determine the knowledge of American women regarding implemented changes in Catholic hospitals and how they feel about the issue of limiting access to medical services. A total of 1000 women aged 18 years and above were contacted and interviewed between February 22 and March 5. In terms of awareness, although majority of the respondents (62%) were aware that abortion was a restricted service in Catholic hospitals, only 43% and 3% named contraception and sterilization, respectively, as restricted. However, nearly half (45%) were unaware of such restrictions. In addition, the survey found that an overwhelming majority of women want their community hospitals, whether or not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, to offer medically indicated abortions, birth control pills, fertility treatments, sterilization procedures, and morning-after pills for rape victims. It was also demonstrated that American women believed that Catholic teaching should not be allowed to determine the health services available in their communities. Moreover, the respondents noted that pharmacies, insurance coverage, and public funds should not limit their services rendered to women.