Media Contact:
Kelly Thibert, DO, MPH National President
American Medical Student Association
Email: [email protected]
Sterling, VA – March 2, 2017 – Today, AMSA reaffirms its support for the reintroduction of the Women’s Health Protection Act, a bill designed to safeguard the constitutional right of every woman to make her own decision about whether to continue or end a pregnancy, regardless of where she lives. Initially introduced in 2015, this federal legislation seeks to protect patients from restrictive laws that interfere with personal medical decisions, impose medically unnecessary barriers to abortion, and block access to safe, legal abortion care.
AMSA National President Dr. Kelly Thibert emphasized the urgency of this bill, stating, “It is essential that Congress pass the Women’s Health Protection Act to ensure that each woman can make decisions based on her personal values, the advice of the medical professionals she trusts, and what is right for her family.”
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) advocates for quality, affordable health care for all and believes it is critical to take a stand when half the population and future patients face barriers to essential care. As physicians-in-training, AMSA recognizes that reproductive health decisions are deeply personal and should remain private. Patients must be able to make these choices in confidence with their physicians, free from interference by any third party.
Ensuring access to full-spectrum reproductive health care, including abortion, is fundamental to women’s and families’ overall well-being and serves as a means to reduce health disparities. Physicians have a professional responsibility to promote public health, which includes guaranteeing comprehensive reproductive health care. Doctors must be able to fulfill their ethical obligations to patients and society without political interference.
AMSA remains committed to supporting women and future patients by advocating for comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion. Protecting their health, safety, and rights must come before politics.
About AMSA:
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 http://amsa.org.
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