Lawmakers decry Colorado hospital decision to no longer provide permanent birth control

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following is a joint statement from U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Yadira Caraveo (D-CO), Jason Crow (D-CO), Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) – all of whom serve as members of the Congressional Pro-choice Caucus co-chaired by DeGette – in response to news that, starting April 15, Mercy Hospital in Durango, Colorado will no longer allow women to get their tubes tied: 

“Every Coloradan, regardless of their zip code, has the right to bodily autonomy and deserves access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care—including permanent birth control measures. As the only hospital in Durango with a maternity ward, Mercy Hospital’s decision to no longer provide patients with tubal ligations, including after a c-section, undermines Coloradans’ right to access the care they need.

“Colorado has a long history of safeguarding patients’ right to reproductive care, and that includes ensuring patients living in more rural parts of the state have access to the health care they need. When the only hospital in town decides it will no longer offer a certain medical service, it takes away the right of patients in that area to make that decision for themselves.

“Medical decisions should be made between a patient and their provider, and no one else. As members of the Colorado delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives and proud members of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, we are committed to ensuring everyone in our state has access to a full range of reproductive health care services. We believe Centura Health should reconsider this policy change. Our constituents must be able to access the care they need and deserve.”