A Boulder resident, a Wheat Ridge doctor and a Denver nonprofit asked a Boulder judge Wednesday to block the proposed transfer of two Exempla hospitals to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System Inc.
The proposed ownership change has drawn opposition because it would bring Catholic health directives banning tubal ligations and contraceptive service to Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette and Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge.
The transfer could also limit end-of-life choices, according to the lawsuit.
The suit, filed in Boulder District Court, argues that the Community First Foundation — originally the fundraising arm of Lutheran Medical Center — is changing its mission and diverting funds without required judicial consent.
Community First would receive $311 million in the transfer — and would be spending that money in violation of its original charitable purpose, the lawsuit alleges.
That original purpose was to provide non-sectarian health care in Boulder and Jefferson counties, according to the plaintiffs.
Palmer Pekarek, director of communications for the Community First Foundation, said the organization’s mission has been consistent: improving quality of life by increasing community generosity and involvement.
Supporting health programs will remain a key part of the organization’s mission, he said.
