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Healthcare Access

The ACLU of Washington believes that everyone should have access to lawful best care medical treatment. Yet in Washington state religious health systems, and even public hospital districts, are denying Washington residents access to important health care services. The ACLU of Washington is enforcing our state laws and fighting back against the use of religion to discriminate in order to ensure Washington residents have access to reproductive, end-of-life and LGBT related health care services, referrals and information.
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Resources

Innovative LEAD Program Is Showing Success

News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
An evaluation of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program has found that it is reducing recidivism rates for participants. Under LEAD, instead of prosecuting low-level drug and prostitution suspects, law enforcement officers divert them to treatment and other social services. 
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Court Orders State to Stop Violating Rights of People with Mental Illness in Jail

News Release, Published: 
Friday, April 3, 2015
A federal judge has rebuked the State of Washington and ordered it to provide competency services speedily to people with mental illness in jails. The ruling came in a suit on behalf of incarcerated pre-trial detainees who have sat for weeks and months awaiting court-ordered services.
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Trial to Solve the State’s Long Delays in Providing Mental Health Services to Individuals in Jail

News Release, Published: 
Monday, March 16, 2015
Under state law, whenever there is reason to doubt that individuals with mental disabilities is competent to stand trial, the court must order an evaluation by one of the state mental hospitals to determine competency and treat these individuals.  If competency is restored, the criminal case may proceed; if it is not restored, the criminal charges are dismissed.
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Reproductive Freedom: A Fundamental Right to Choose or Refuse an Abortion

Published: 
Monday, March 2, 2015
The ACLU of Washington has filed a lawsuit against Skagit Regional Health, a public hospital and clinics, for failure to comply with Washington’s Reproductive Privacy Act (RPA).
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Woman Sues Public Hospital District to Ensure Access to Abortion

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, February 19, 2015
The ACLU of Washington has filed a lawsuit seeking to have Skagit Regional Health comply with Washington’s Reproductive Privacy Act (RPA).  The suit is part of a new statewide effort by the ACLU to ensure that all public hospitals are complying with the RPA.
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Pregnant? Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine, and Catholic Hospitals

Published: 
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Regardless of whether you have been pregnant or not, chances are you can recite the long list of things to avoid in pregnancy: alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, deli meats, unpasteurized cheese, and the list go on.
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Suit Seeks to End Long Delays in Mental Health Evaluations for Individuals in Jail

News Release, Published: 
Friday, October 3, 2014
People with mental health disabilities are experiencing lengthy delays in receiving court-ordered competency evaluation and restoration services in criminal cases. The ACLU of Washington, Disability Rights Washington, and allies are seeking an injunction to protect their due process rights.  They should not be warehoused in jail while their conditions deteriorate. 
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ACLU Urges WSU Not to Allow Religious Doctrine to Restrict Health Care and Education

News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
The ACLU is urging Washington State University’s Board of Regents to decline to support the financing of a new building unless all medical training and practices there will be unrestricted by religious doctrine.
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The Hobby Lobby Decision: Imposing Religious Beliefs on Employees

Published: 
Monday, August 11, 2014
Religious freedom is a fundamental right in our society. But while everyone has the right to his or her religious beliefs, those beliefs cannot be imposed on others.
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