Former LSU Health Boss Sues Over Catholic Health Rules

Julie Hupperich, the former director of LSU's Student Health Center, has filed a lawsuit against the university. She claims she was fired for objecting to a new partnership with the Catholic-run Our Lady of the Lake (OLOL) health system. This deal, signed in 2023, has allegedly led to religion-based decisions affecting student care. Before, the center provided birth control and sexual health services, but Hupperich says LSU is now following OLOL's Catholic policies. Her attorney, Jill Craft, argues that forcing state employees to adopt religious beliefs violates their rights. Hupperich's lawsuit states that LSU employees must now agree with Catholic tenets like life beginning at conception and no birth control or abortion. She says these rules make it harder for providers to do their jobs. Hupperich also claims LSU is diverting student fees to OLOL and imposing a $5 copay, even if students owe nothing under their own insurance. LSU declined to comment, while OLOL says the deal is appropriate.