FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media Contact:
Kelly Thibert, D.O., M.P.H, National President
American Medical Student Association
Phone: 703-665-4786
Email: pr@amsa.org
American Medical Student Association Applauds the SCOTUS Decision on Whole Woman’s Health
Sterling, VA – June 27, 2016: The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) applauds the decision announced by the Supreme Court of the United States holding (5-3) House Bill 2 (HB2), the notorious TRAP laws, unconstitutional in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt.
Today’s ruling prevents the state of Texas from enacting laws that have no basis in medical evidence, holding that both the admitting privileges and surgical center requirements place a substantial obstacle in the path of women seeking an abortion, constitute an undue burden on abortion access, and thus violate the Constitution. The courts have ensured that these burdensome regulations can no longer be enacted and have done what Hellerstedt claimed HB2 did all along, promote women’s health. Their decision to afford the women of Texas the freedom of self-determination of their reproductive lives will help to ensure that abortion remains not only legal, but also safe. When these types of laws are passed, restricted access to healthcare does not decrease the number of abortions, but rather increases the number of unsafe abortions.
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) seeks quality, affordable healthcare for all and we feel that it is of the utmost importance for us to take a stand when half of the general population and our future patients, cannot access the care that they need. As physicians-in-training we believe that matters of reproductive health are to be private and sensitive. We support the right of patients to make these decisions in confidence with their physician and without the interference of any third party. Access to full-spectrum reproductive health care, including abortion, is essential to women’s and families’ overall health and well-being, also serving as a means for improving health disparities.
It is the responsibility of physicians to promote the health of communities, which includes ensuring access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare. We should be free to fulfill our ethical obligations to patients and society, without political interference. AMSA will continue to support women, our future patients, by respecting their autonomy and advocating for comprehensive reproductive healthcare including abortion, no matter what.
About the American Medical Student Association
AMSA is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at www.amsa.org/
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