The University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics may soon open an abortion clinic offering second-trimester abortions.
UWHC has been discussing with UW Medical Foundation and Meriter Hospital whether to open the clinic at their joint private venture, the Madison Surgery Center at 1 S. Park St.
UW has met opposition from several pro-life groups, including the Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian group based in Arizona that says the clinic would be an illegal operation. According to the ADF website, the clinic would likely compel unwilling employees to aid or participate in dismembering [unborn] babies, which would violate their religious conscience rights.""
According to UW Hospital spokeswoman Lisa Brunette, however, any UW Hospital employee involvement is strictly voluntary and those opposed to the abortion practices can choose not to participate without penalization.
""UW Medical Foundation, UW Hospital and Clinics and Meriter recognize that in our diverse society there is a broad array of deeply held beliefs and opinions on the abortion issue,"" Brunette said in a statement.
The clinic would offer abortions for women in their 13th to 22nd week of pregnancy.
Brunette said in a release UW and Meriter doctors are interested in opening the clinic because they believe providing abortions is a service to the community.
""[The doctors] believe there is a public-health responsibility to provide such procedures as part of a comprehensive program of family planning and reproductive health care that our community deserves,"" she said.
UW and Meriter doctors are acting now to open the clinic in response to the late December retirement of Dr. Dennis Christensen, who performed abortions up to the second trimester at a Madison Planned Parenthood facility.
UWHC will discuss the potential opening of the clinic at its February board meeting. The Madison Surgery Center board will act in the months following the meeting.