I am one of the many residents who was distressed to learn that our two nearest community hospitals, Mid-Island and Massapequa General, will operate under the rules of Catholic Health Services.

I had hoped that all of the services we are used to having these hospitals have provided over the years, such as tubal ligations and vasectomies, would be preserved. It doesn't look like that will be the case, so at the very least, potential patients must be clearly advised of the new circumstances.

To me, this means the Health Department must demand that all the ads, brochures, and patient pamphlets state clearly, "This Hospital now operates under religious rules and will not provide many reproductive and other health services."

Potential patients can then make up their minds if they want to continue using these two hospitals.