The American College of Pediatricians Applauds the Supreme Court's Decision to Overturn Roe
24 June 2022
Media Contact:
Quentin Van Meter, MD, FCP, President
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(352) 376-1877
Gainesville, FL – The American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) applauds the U.S. Supreme Court in its historic ruling, handed down today, overturning its own precedent in Roe v. Wade and empowering individual states to fully protect unborn life. It also upheld the Mississippi 15-week abortion ban in Dobbs v. Jackson.
Dr. Quentin Van Meter, President and Co-Interim Executive Director of the American College of Pediatricians, released the following statement:
“The Supreme Court is finally upholding the dignity of human life, and this is long overdue. The integrity of the medical profession depends upon a consistent life ethic. Now our nation can continue to disentangle the life-giving mission of the medical profession from the deadly practice of abortion The practice of pediatrics will benefit immeasurably from this life-affirming decision in Dobbs v. Jackson and the overturning of Roe v. Wade.”
Dr. Jill Simons, Co-Interim Executive Director of ACPeds, said of the decision:
“This decision ushers in a bright future for parents and their children. The relationship between a woman and her child, born or preborn, is precious. The Court has made an historic step today in preserving that unbreakable bond.”
Dr. Robin Pierucci, Chair of the ACPeds’ Pro-life Committee, stated:
“The decision in Dobbs is a monumental victory. We are physicians who agree with the equitable treatment of every single human being, so we believe that every person is priceless. Justice has been done today – true justice for the preborn. The American College of Pediatricians believes that the mother-infant dyad is so precious (as is the father-infant dyad), that it is vital to provide resources that preserve the well-being of both.”
Justice Samuel Alito wrote the court's majority opinion, unambiguously holding that "the Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision..." The opinion gives a lengthy discussion on stare decisis - the legal concept that means courts should let "let stand" earlier, authoritative decisions. Going to great lengths to show that the Roe decision stood on inexcusably weak grounds, Justice Alito concluded that "Roe and Casey must be overruled."
The court's decision returns the regulation of abortion to the individual states and their state legislatures. At least 13 states currently have a law that will ban most abortions now that the central holding of Roe has been overturned, but up to 22 states have laws that could limit abortion.
As states move toward more pro-life policies, the value of each life can be protected by medicine, and the infant-mother dyad can be respected by the medical field.
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.