{"id":289105,"date":"2023-04-14T10:43:21","date_gmt":"2023-04-14T15:43:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=289105"},"modified":"2023-04-13T19:02:39","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T00:02:39","slug":"planned-parenthood-fight-transfer-agreement-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/planned-parenthood-fight-transfer-agreement-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Planned Parenthood\u2019s fight against transfer agreements raises questions about its concern for safety"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(Save The Storks<\/a>)\u00a0The Planned Parenthood location in Lancaster, Pennsylvania has requested an exception<\/a> to a transfer agreement policy designed to protect women.<\/p>\n

On the surface, the policy seems simple enough \u2013 Pennsylvania requires all Ambulatory Surgical Facilities to have a transfer agreement with a local hospital. A transfer agreement outlines that all doctors performing surgeries that do not require hospital admission must have a hospital on call in case an operation cannot be completed safely. Planned Parenthood does not want to require this agreement at their Pennsylvania facilities. This request has caused many people to question Planned Parenthood\u2019s stance on women\u2019s health.<\/p>\n

What is a Transfer Agreement?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Suppose you need a minor operation that requires 45 minutes of surgery and one full day of at-home recovery time. You pull up to the office for your procedure, check-in, get called back for surgery preparation, and the operation begins shortly after.<\/p>\n

When the procedure begins, you notice something is off. Maybe the lights seem to be getting fuzzy or the surgeon keeps muttering \u201cthat\u2019s a lot of blood.\u201d Whatever this issue may be, you need help fast.<\/p>\n

This where the transfer agreement is extremely beneficial. Because the facility has a prearranged agreement with the local hospital, you can quickly be transported to get the care you need, promptly. Transfer agreements are common practice for most Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AFS) and Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASC). They are designed to act as a safety net to protect patients when office-based surgeons face complications that they\u2019re not equipped to handle. An ASC that serves medicare patients is required to have transfer agreements<\/a>. The American College of Surgeons<\/a> even lists maintaining transfer agreements as a core principle of office-based surgery. No transfer agreement, no ASC.<\/p>\n

Why does Planned Parenthood want an exception to this healthcare policy?<\/h4>\n

Questioning this policy is an unusual move for an organization whose motto is \u201ccare, no matter what.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Transfer agreements have become a new point of contention in the battle between pro-life <\/a>and pro-choice activists. Although an ASC has to have a transfer agreement to operate, hospitals are under no obligation to accept transfer agreements.<\/p>\n

Coordination with a local hospital is a problem for abortion clinics when you consider the religious background of many hospitals. Medical institutions that are derived from a religious background are less likely to make deals with abortion providers. Although they are not providing abortion services, they are not likely to support organizations that are. Without transfer agreements from local hospitals, abortion clinics can\u2019t legally operate.<\/p>\n