FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media Contact:
Kelly Thibert, D.O., M.P.H, National President
American Medical Student Association
Phone:703-665-4786
Email:[email protected]
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 today’s Supreme Court of the United States decision (5-3) in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, declaring Texas House Bill 2 (HB2), widely known as TRAP laws, unconstitutional.
Today’s ruling prevents the state of Texas from enforcing laws lacking medical justification, determining that both the admitting privileges and surgical center requirements create significant barriers for women seeking abortion care. The Court found these restrictions constituted an undue burden on abortion access, thus violating the Constitution. Through this decision, the courts affirmed that these excessive regulations cannot be enforced, achieving what Hellerstedt claimed HB2 aimed to do all along—protect women’s health. By safeguarding reproductive autonomy, this ruling ensures that abortion remains both legal and safe. History demonstrates that restrictive healthcare laws do not reduce abortions but instead increase unsafe procedures.
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) advocates for quality, affordable healthcare for all. We strongly believe in taking a stand when half of the population, including our future patients, faces barriers to essential care. As physicians-in-training, we regard reproductive health decisions as private and deeply sensitive. We support our patients’ right to make these decisions confidentially with their physicians, without external interference. Comprehensive reproductive healthcare access, including abortion services, is critical for the health and well-being of women and families, and plays a key role in addressing health disparities.
Physicians carry the responsibility of promoting community health, which includes guaranteeing access to complete reproductive healthcare. Medical professionals should be free to fulfill their ethical duties to patients and society without political obstruction. AMSA remains dedicated to supporting women—our future patients—by respecting their autonomy and advocating unwaveringly for comprehensive reproductive health services, including abortion.
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, nonprofit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. For more information on AMSA, our strategic priorities, or how to join, please visit www.amsa.org.
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