How Religious Beliefs Dictate Care at Catholic Hospitals with Father Charles Bouchard episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 20, 2026 · 25 MIN

How Religious Beliefs Dictate Care at Catholic Hospitals with Father Charles Bouchard

from Body & State · host Sarah Varney

For decades the Catholic Church has placed restrictions on certain reproductive health services at Catholic-run hospitals. The Ethical and Religious Directives lay out 77 rules for providing health care in the U.S., all based on the church’s theological and moral beliefs. But critics say these rules can run afoul of needed, emergency reproductive healthcare, especially in places where a Catholic-run hospital is the only option. WATCH ON PBS NEWSHOUR: Religious directives at Catholic hospitals complicate emergency care for pregnant women https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/religious-directives-at-catholic-hospitals-complicate-emergency-care-for-pregnant-women

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 20, 2026

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How Religious Beliefs Dictate Care at Catholic Hospitals with Father Charles Bouchard

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