Internal medicine physicians reassured by recent steps to protect abortion access

The American College of Physicians (ACP) is encouraged to see several recent actions that will ensure that patients are able to continue to access the full-range of necessary reproductive health care services. The Department of Justice's announcement that the postal service will continue to deliver medications that can induce abortion and the Food and Drug Administration's recent regulatory changes that will allow retail pharmacies to dispense medications that can induce abortion to patients with a prescription, are both important ways that our patients need to be able to continue to access abortion services.

We were also glad to see the decision from the South Carolina Supreme Court that found that the state's ban on abortions performed after six weeks of pregnancy was unconstitutional under the state's constitution. However, we are extremely concerned that the Idaho state Supreme Court recently issued a decision that upholds a more restrictive ban that will prevent patients in that state from accessing abortion services from the point of conception and will threaten health care professionals who perform abortions with the possibility of being sued for providing medical services to their patients.

ACP believes in respect for the principle of patient autonomy and ensuring access for all patients to the full range of reproductive health care services, including abortion. ACP believes that such reproductive health care decisions are foundational to the patient-physician relationship. A patient's decision about whether to continue a pregnancy should be a private decision made in consultation with a physician or other health care professional, without interference from the government. We strongly oppose medically unnecessary government restrictions on any health care services. ACP is committed to ensuring that our patients can access necessary services and that governmental interference does not prevent access to evidence-based care.

ACP will continue to advocate with lawmakers and other policymakers to restore the right to access reproductive services for all Americans.

Provided by American College of Physicians