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Our Stories

We believe everyone should get the health care they need. But in California, more than one in six hospital beds is in a Catholic facility with religiously restrictive policies. This results in many of us being denied basic and necessary care. We are not alone, nor are we silent. Read our stories and share your own.

Worried about you or a loved one being denied care? Find out if you’re at risk.

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Tamesha Means

Read the story of Tamesha Means, whose life was threatened after a Catholic hospital repeatedly sent her home in the midst of a painful miscarriage.
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Michelle and Josh

After years of trying to get pregnant, Michelle and Josh were heartbroken to learn their first pregnancy would not survive. To add insult to injury, the Catholic hospital in Mission Viejo, California where they were being treated shamed them, judged their choices, and delayed Michelle’s medical care, thereby threatening her health.
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Tyler

I gave the people at the front desk my name, and right away it seemed like they already knew who I was and I why I was there. I noticed people looking and me and whispering. It felt like people at the hospital had discussed my case and knew my very personal medical information. It was deeply embarrassing. Calling me “he” and referring to me as a “male,” the surgery coordinator told me that St. Joseph’s would not do the procedure because of their religious views.
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Hannah

Hannah is a UCLA undergraduate who has a hormonal disorder that impacts the ovaries. In 2018, she was taken to the closest emergency room in severe pain. The Catholic hospital ignored her symptoms and refused to treat her, putting her at risk for further medical issues and prolonging her pain.
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Rachel Miller and Rebecca Chamorro

Rachel Miller sought to have her tubes tied after a planned C-section at her nearby hospital in Redding, California. But Mercy Medical Center, a Catholic hospital, refused to allow her doctor to do the procedure. “I hope my case will shine a light on this issue so that others aren’t turned away. No one should be denied medical care their doctor recommends.”
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Evan Minton

Evan Minton, 35, is a transgender man who was scheduled to receive a hysterectomy at Mercy San Juan Medical Center, a hospital in the Dignity Health chain,near Sacramento, California. Two days prior to the appointment, a nurse called to discuss the surgery and Minton mentioned that he is transgender. The next day, the hospital canceled the procedure.
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Oliver

Oliver Knight lives in Humboldt County, California where Catholic hospitals dominate. He was prepped and ready for gender-affirming surgery at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka when his doctor informed him he would not be able to perform this common procedure due to the hospital’s religious policies. Minutes after, Oliver was asked to leave the hospital. He was devastated.
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Tamesha Means

Read the story of Tamesha Means, whose life was threatened after a Catholic hospital repeatedly sent her home in the midst of a painful miscarriage.

Read My Story

Michelle and Josh

After years of trying to get pregnant, Michelle and Josh were heartbroken to learn their first pregnancy would not survive. To add insult to injury, the Catholic hospital in Mission Viejo, California where they were being treated shamed them, judged their choices, and delayed Michelle’s medical care, thereby threatening her health.

Read My Story

Tyler

I gave the people at the front desk my name, and right away it seemed like they already knew who I was and I why I was there. I noticed people looking and me and whispering. It felt like people at the hospital had discussed my case and knew my very personal medical information. It was deeply embarrassing. Calling me “he” and referring to me...

Read My Story

Hannah

Hannah is a UCLA undergraduate who has a hormonal disorder that impacts the ovaries. In 2018, she was taken to the closest emergency room in severe pain. The Catholic hospital ignored her symptoms and refused to treat her, putting her at risk for further medical issues and prolonging her pain.

Read My Story

Rachel Miller and Rebecca Chamorro

Rachel Miller sought to have her tubes tied after a planned C-section at her nearby hospital in Redding, California. But Mercy Medical Center, a Catholic hospital, refused to allow her doctor to do the procedure. “I hope my case will shine a light on this issue so that others aren’t turned away. No one should be denied medical care their doctor recommends.”

Read My Story

Evan Minton

Evan Minton, 35, is a transgender man who was scheduled to receive a hysterectomy at Mercy San Juan Medical Center, a hospital in the Dignity Health chain,near Sacramento, California. Two days prior to the appointment, a nurse called to discuss the surgery and Minton mentioned that he is transgender. The next day, the hospital canceled the procedure.

Read My Story

Your Story Could Make the Difference

We are gathering stories from people who have been denied care because of religious rules. If you or someone you know has been denied care at a Catholic hospital, please share your story with us.

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