People

Alex Appel ah-lex a-pel (she/her)

Inasmuch Foundation Fellow

Alex Appel is a master’s student at Arizona State University, where she is pursuing a degree in investigative journalism. She was a reporter at the Kodiak Daily Mirror, an intern at Commercial Observer and the editor-in-chief of her college newspaper, the Concordiensis.

Esther Patterson is with BirthNet, an organization that works to eliminate health inequities for pregnant people. At a rally on June 20, 2023, Patterson called the proposed closure of Burdett Birth Center “a slap in the face to all of our Black and brown birthing families and all of the families that live in rural communities.” (Photo by Morgan Casey/News21)

Birth center closure could stress health care in area dominated by Catholic hospitals

Hospitals have been cutting maternity services and closing doors across the country for decades, creating health care deserts. The family-planning policies in Catholic hospitals exacerbate service gaps.

Ellis Hospital – the only inpatient hospital in all of Schenectady County – would have to abide by ethical and religious directives that prohibit abortions and other care should a merger with St. Peter’s Health Partners become final. (Photo by Morgan Casey/News21)

Catholic hospital mergers threaten access to reproductive care – even in abortion ‘safe havens’

Mergers between Catholic and secular health systems are limiting access to reproductive health care – even in states considered abortion safe havens.