ICYMI: Providers Plea for Care

Planned Parenthood and ACLU of Kentucky Hold Press Conference on the Second Anniversary of Dobbs Decision

Louisville, KY – Today, as we mark two years without federal protections for abortion access following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, abortion providers, Planned Parenthood of Kentucky, the ACLU of Kentucky, and Congressman Morgan McGarvey called for leaders to allow medical professionals to leave politics out of medicine and let medical professionals do their job. 

The following individuals provided remarks at the Planned Parenthood Health Center in Louisville: Dr. Caitlin Thomas, OB/GYN; Dr. Callyn Samuel, OB/GYN; Dr. Christine Cook, OB/GYN; Congressman Morgan McGarvey, Rebecca Gibron, CEO of PPGNHAIK, and Amber Duke, Executive Director of the ACLU of Kentucky. 

**A video of the press conference and full speakers' remarks can be viewed here. 

Dr. Callyn Samuel, OB/GYN resident physician: 

“Our patients have been affected in so many ways. This is more than just medical training and the right to choose. This is about policing women’s bodies and forcing women to make impossible choices in an already tough situation. Forcing pregnancy upon women in this economy is not only dangerous for the future of women’s health, it is unsustainable and truly makes me question the future we are creating. I believe that the removal of protection over the right to abortion access is in direct violation of the Hippocratic oath we pledge as medical doctors and a threat to maternal health nationwide.  I urge everyone to truly take into account the consequences of these actions and to continue to fight for our right to choose.”

Amber Duke, Executive Director of ACLU-KY: 

"The Kentucky Supreme Court’s decision has forced Kentuckians seeking abortion to bring a lawsuit while in the middle of seeking time-sensitive health care," said Amber Duke, executive director of the ACLU of Kentucky. "It is a daunting feat that should not be necessary to reclaim the fundamental right to control our own bodies. We stand ready to represent a pregnant Kentuckian who is seeking an abortion to challenge these laws. We ask anyone interested in bringing a case to call or text our attorneys at (617) 297-7012."

Rebecca Gibron, CEO of Planned Parenthood Kentucky 

“Access to reproductive health is particularly stark in Kentucky, with no exceptions to abortion except in the case of the life of the pregnant person. Studies show at least a third of pregnancies involve ER visits, and up to 15% include potentially life-threatening conditions. Yet, when pregnancy-related emergencies present, providers are being forced to ask the most inhumane questions: Is this patient close enough to dying? Are they near enough death for me to provide care? Will I be prosecuted? Not near dead enough. How is this the new benchmark for care?

The providers here today hope that Kentucky leaders will hear their pleas…Let them do their jobs—reverse the bans and move Kentucky forward to a future where everyone has the right to decide their future and care isn’t dependent on a zip code.”

Congressman Morgan McGarvey: 

“Two years ago, SCOTUS took away the hard-fought right to abortion—a decision that has created a hellscape for women in Kentucky and is actively putting lives at risk. I joined Planned Parenthood in Kentucky to send a clear message: Abortion is health care, and this fight isn't over.”

Dr. Michelle Elisburg, a practicing Pediatrician in Kentucky, wasn’t able to make it to the press conference, and had some of her remarks were read during the press conference: 

“I'm concerned about balancing medically standard care with legal risks. I'm worried about how I can counsel patients on their options, especially regarding birth control and preventing pregnancy. I’m worried safe options like IUDs may be removed. Without them, more teens may face unplanned pregnancies, as they won't stop having sex. My main fear is a conflict between medical ethics and non-medical legislation. Patients may lose trust in their providers and miss out on comprehensive informed consent and available medical options.” 

Jes Deis, Nurse Midwife and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner was unable to attend the press conference and had some of her comments read to the press: 

“I've known of multiple APCs that have moved to other states, if for no other reason than they have children with uterus' and feel it's unsafe to raise their child here. In general, provider recruitment (APC or physician) seems to be at an all-time low, from my observation…every practice I know of is running short and struggling to fill positions. I will always do what I believe to be ethically correct, which includes providing patients with options, counseling, and resources they request to the best of my ability, but Dobbs has definitely led to me questioning if I could lose my livelihood or time with my family by doing so.”

Growing evidence shows that abortion bans not only impact abortion access but also increasingly block most forms of health care in restricted states. Devastatingly, the Dobbs decision has impacted maternal health, contraceptive care, providers, patients, health centers, and support networks and has created a patchwork of policies where zip codes largely determine a person’s ability to access care. 

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Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai‘i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky (PPGNHAIK) is a leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate. The organization operates 35 health centers in Alaska, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, and Western Washington and provides medical services and sexuality education for thousands of people each year. Planned Parenthood is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and relies heavily on charitable donations to ensure our patients' ability to determine their own destinies and receive the health care they need.