NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — California's top prosecutor is investigating an agreement between an Orange County hospital and Catholic operators that banned elective abortions.
The attorney general's office announced Thursday that it was looking at the agreement involving Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian of Newport Beach.
Hoag started banning elective abortions this year after reaching an agreement to affiliate with St. Joseph Health.
Attorney General Kamala D. Harris approved the agreement and permitted the hospital to discontinue elective abortions — but only if alternative providers were available.
Dr. Lisa Abaid, a specialist at Hoag, tells the Orange County Register (http://bit.ly/151fXsD ) the attorney general's office recently asked her about the ban's impact on patients.
Hoag says it's cooperating in the probe.
