Boston, Mass., Jun 11, 2009 / 11:26 am
Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley and Caritas Christi Healthcare System have again commented on Caritas Christi’s cooperation in a joint venture which may provide abortion services, saying its participation is “consistent with Catholic identity.” The archdiocese said in a statement that there are “active discussions” being held to make “acceptable modifications” to the arrangement.
The Caritas Christi Health Care network, which is affiliated with the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, joined in a partnership with Centene Corp. subsidiary Celtic Group, LLC to enter into Commonwealth Care, Massachusetts’ subsidized health program.
The Centene-Caritas Christi partnership, in which Centene’s Celtic Group is the senior partner, established CeltiCare as a for-profit HMO to manage the Commonwealth Care contract awarded by the state government.
On Monday afternoon, benefit information at the CeltiCare site listed abortion services for $0, $50 and $100 depending on the participant’s health plan. Another CeltiCare document, dated May 21, lists “Family Planning and Reproductive Services Providers” and provides information about four Planned Parenthood affiliates.
In a Wednesday statement from the Archdiocese of Boston, Cardinal O’Malley, who is Archbishop of Boston, and Caritas Christi President Dr. Ralph de la Torre commented on Caritas Christi’s involvement.