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Is any public money going toward abortions in Kentucky? Lawmakers raise concerns related to UofL program

FILE - In this July 17, 2017, photo, escort volunteers line up outside the EMW Women's Surgical Center in Louisville, Ky., the state's only abortion clinic. A federal judge on Thursday, April 21, 2022, temporarily blocked a state law that effectively eliminated abortions in Kentucky after the state’s two remaining clinics said they couldn’t meet its requirements. (AP Photo/Dylan Lovan, File)
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AP
FILE - In this July 17, 2017, photo, escort volunteers line up outside the EMW Women's Surgical Center in Louisville, Ky., the state's only abortion clinic. A federal judge on Thursday, April 21, 2022, temporarily blocked a state law that effectively eliminated abortions in Kentucky after the state’s two remaining clinics said they couldn’t meet its requirements. (AP Photo/Dylan Lovan, File)

Testimony offered during this week’s hearings over Kentucky’s abortion trigger law has raised new questions about the association between the University of Louisville and EMW Women’s Surgical Center — one of two remaining abortion providers in the state.

Under current accreditation rules, UofL’s School of Medicine is required to offer residency training in abortion procedures, and the same goes for every other school with an OB/GYN program. That’s according to the school’s dean, Toni Ganzel.

She told lawmakers Thursday that EMW contributes toward that instruction, but she described the association as a “department joint agreement” and made this statement.

"No university funds are spent on abortions."
University of Louisville School of Medicine Dean Toni Ganzel

But concerned lawmakers pointed to testimony from Dr. Ashlee Bergin, which they say raises questions about whether any public money flows through the university to Bergin to perform abortions – outside of the residency training. This is Republican Rep. Jason Nemes.

"I believe the overwhelming number of taxpayers in Kentucky do not want their money, and their institutions and their government, which is what the University of Louisville is, going toward performing abortions," the GOP lawmaker said.

Confusion over the matter has led lawmakers to request more access to employment contracts.

Ganzel has said Dr. Bergin’s job description for UofL makes no mention of performing abortions as a requirement for her job at the school.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.