A group of physicians refused to sign a new contract imposed by the administration of the Jane Phillips Medical Center (JPMC) in Bartlesville, Okla., prohibiting doctors from writing prescriptions for contraception on pads bearing the hospital’s name or logo. Without access to blank prescription pads, many doctors would be unable to prescribe birth control. “It amazes me that in today’s world—in 2014—we’re still having this conversation,” a physician employed by the hospital said to the Tulsa World regarding the policy that was slated to go into effect by April 1. The medical center, which is the town’s only hospital, is obeying a directive from Catholic parent company Ascension Health, which will still allow doctors to prescribe birth control for other reasons such as menstrual cramps.

A statement released by a representative for St. John Health System, which owns JPMC, said that the hospital operates in accordance with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services and “therefore, does not approve of or support contraceptive practices,” according to CNA News. Local attorney and retired district judge Janice P. Dreiling commented to the Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise, “It does not take an ethicist or a legal scholar to conclude that in the view of the Catholic church/Ascension Health/St. John Health System, birth control is an immoral act. I believe most people, including most Roman Catholics, do not share this belief.”

The JPMC physicians sought legal counsel and on March 28 asked that the contract language be revised so that they may continue to prescribe birth control without fear of losing insurance coverage or any other penalty. A revised contract was offered on April 21, but negotiations continue.