Law: Hospital must offer abortions or close ward

COLFAX — Birthing services at Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics will end if abortion services are not offered by Dec. 15.

That’s according to hospital officials citing a letter from Washington State Attorney General Robert “Bob” Ferguson dated Nov. 22. The letter requests compliance with the Reproductive Privacy Act.

Ferguson, who is the leading Democrat in the gubernatorial race to replace Gov. Jay Inslee, sent a similar letter to 25 other public hospitals across the state.

According to Ferguson's letter, the Reproductive Privacy Act requires patient privacy for all women seeking birthing...