Claim: Doctor refused to remove IUD for religious reasons

CHICAGO (AP) - A Chicago woman claims a doctor for a Catholic health system refused to remove a dislodged intrauterine device because of religious restrictions on contraceptives.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois filed complaints in June on behalf of Melanie Jones. WLS-TV first reported on the case Monday.

Jones says she sought care after a fall dislodged her IUD, causing pain and bleeding. She says a doctor in the Chicago-based Mercy Hospital system refused to remove the IUD.

Mercy Hospital spokesman Eric Rhodes says patient privacy prevents him from discussing the case. Rhodes says generally Mercy's protocol for caring for a woman with a troublesome IUD is to offer to remove it.

Complaints were filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services and the Illinois Department of Human Rights.