Supreme Court Betrays Women; Lowers Standard of Care in Louisiana

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Quentin Van Meter, MD, FCP, President

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The American College of Pediatricians decries the Supreme Court’s failure to hold Louisiana abortion facilities accountable for their violations of women’s health and safety in the decision issued today in the case of June Medical Services v. Russo. 

On January 2, 2020, ACPeds joined the American Association of Medical Ethics, and the American Center for Law and Justice in filing an Amicus Brief in support of a Louisiana law requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges at a hospital close to their abortion clinic. In the brief, we documented the scientific evidence that elective abortion is more dangerous than continuation of pregnancy and childbirth, thereby demonstrating the need for this common sense surgical health regulation.

Tragically, in a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court struck down this law requiring doctors who perform abortions to have the right to admit patients at nearby hospitals. As a result, the highest court in the land has failed to hold abortion clinics in Louisiana to the same standard of care as every other surgical center in the state.  

The dangers of elective abortion, both surgical and drug induced, are well documented. Elective abortions send patients to emergency rooms, and 5 percent of women undergoing drug induced abortions will require emergency room evaluation. The Supreme Court’s decision puts women at risk at an alarming rate, and gives Louisiana abortion clinics the legal right to put profit margins ahead of women’s health and safety. 

About the American College of Pediatricians

The American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) is a national medical association of licensed physicians and healthcare professionals who specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. It was founded by a group of concerned physicians who saw the need for a pediatric organization that would not be influenced by the politically driven pronouncements of the day. The mission of the ACPeds is to enable all children to reach their optimal physical and emotional health and well-being. The ACPeds is committed to fulfilling its mission by producing sound policy, based upon the best available research, to assist parents and to influence society in the endeavor of childrearing.