Healthcare: CHI merger must be stopped
“CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason moving toward merger,” (TNT, 7/18).
The planned merger is not in the interest of the healthcare-receiving public in Washington (all of us).
Any system ruled by Vatican laws restricts access to full reproductive services and comprehensive end-of-life service, as already seen with CHI and other Catholic healthcare companies and providers.
Such a system also limits providers in terms of what they can prescribe and perform.
Washingtonians deserve access to the full range of services, no matter their income, gender, age or religious affiliations. Allowing this secretively conceived plan to proceed is a disservice in particular to people who have been loyal to Virginia Mason for 100 years.
CHI should find another way to expand its reach and quest for income. Virginia Mason should honor its history and serve its communities more fully.
Contact the governor and the insurance commissioner to say “stop limiting our access.”
Linda Tieman, University Place
This story was originally published August 5, 2020 at 3:35 PM with the headline "Healthcare: CHI merger must be stopped."