APA, Five Other Physicians Groups Condemn Texas Law Restricting Access to Abortion

American Psychiatric Association

Sept 3, 2021

Yesterday APA joined five other leading physician groups in opposing a Texas state law that took effect Wednesday banning abortions, medical counseling, and support related to abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.

“Our organizations, which represent nearly 600,000 physicians and medical students, strongly oppose any laws and regulations that interfere in the confidential relationship between a patient and their physician. This new law will endanger patients and clinicians, putting physicians who provide necessary medical care, or even offer evidence-based information, at risk, by allowing private citizens to interfere in women’s reproductive health decision making,” wrote APA, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, and the American Osteopathic Association in a statement. “Moreover, this law virtually eliminates women’s access to evidence-based, comprehensive care and information, and denies women their right to make decisions about their own health.”

The organizations stated that they are firmly against any policies that limit the evidence-based practice of medicine; threaten the patient-physician relationship; and inhibit the delivery of safe, timely, and necessary comprehensive care, including reproductive health services and information.“

To that end, we fundamentally oppose the unprecedented ability for private citizens to take legal action against individuals who help a woman obtain an abortion, including physicians providing necessary, evidence-based care for their patients,” they wrote. “Physicians must be able to practice medicine that is informed by their years of medical education, training, experience, and the available evidence, freely and without threat of punishment, harassment, or retribution.”

“Restrictive abortion and contraception policies have been shown to be related to an increased risk for a variety of mental health problems and may have a negative impact on the overall health of women, including physical, emotional, and social well-being. APA opposes interference in the doctor-patient relationship and laws that threaten the health and well-being of women,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A.