KSFY obtained a confidential memo put out by attorneys for Sanford Hospital. It outlines how the abortion bill, Initiated Measure 11, if passed, would affect the types of treatment Sanford provides to pregnant women. We take a closer look at the document itself and what both sides are saying about it.

The internal memo is 10 pages long, and according to Mark Johnston, Vice President of Communications and Administration at Sanford, it was requested by Sanford CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft. Johnston says, "This product is not pro or against Initiated Measure 11, but it certainly factually lays out impact on Sanford Health."

The last line of the memo states, "Those instances where a pregnant woman faces uncertain, but potentially very serious health risks, Initiated Measure 11 will require a physician to choose between possibly committing a felony or subjecting a pregnant woman to a higher degree of medical risk."

Brandi Gruis, a representative from the Vote Yes for Life campaign say she has not read the document in its entirety, but adds that under Measure 11 physicians would be completely protected when trying to save the life of a mother. Gruis says, "Everything being done now at Sanford, when it's to protect the life and health of the mother, which is the only instances in which they do abortions, would be covered under Measure 11."

Johnston calls the memo straight-talking and unbiased and says as a matter of policy, Sanford will not weigh in on the debate. He says about 50 people got the memo, and they don't know who leaked it. Johnston adds that it's common for CEOs to request such an analysis when a change in legislation or public policy is proposed.

We also spoke with Jan Nicolay from the Campaign for Healthy Families. She says the Sanford memo reflects how complicated the language of the initiative is. Nicolay says it proves how complicated Measure 11 can make the doctor-patient relationship.