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Colorado Family Physicians Denounce Supreme Court Abortion Decision, Offer Member Resources

ByErica Pike

The Colorado Academy of Family Physicians is concerned about the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe V. Wade via the Dobbs v. Jackson court decision released on Friday June 24, 2022. This ruling affects the patient-physician relationship, even eliminating access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion in some states.

The Colorado Reproductive Healthcare Equity Act passed this year in Colorado ensures reproductive health and abortion services remain legal and available in our state. However, the Supreme Court’s decision enables states to adopt laws fundamentally interfering with the patient-physician relationship and criminalizing the delivery of evidence-based healthcare. Some states have already passed laws enabling private citizens to take legal action against a physician for aiding or abetting an abortion, solely based on suspicion.

We fundamentally oppose such laws. Healthcare decisions, including whether to terminate a pregnancy, should be made by the patient in consultation with their physician. Where such decisions may violate a physician’s personally held moral or ethical beliefs, appropriate referrals should be made (AAFP Policy on Reproductive Decisions, 2017).

The CAFP has compiled resources for Colorado family physicians seeking more information on all options concerning reproductive healthcare decisions. Stay tuned for upcoming education opportunities for members to further their understanding concerning reproductive health care in the primary care setting.

 

AAFP Statement June 24, 2022

Supreme Court Decision Criminalizes Medical Care and Limits Access to Health Care

The American Academy of Family Physicians is disappointed and disheartened by the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down longstanding protections afforded by Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. This decision negatively impacts our practices and our patients by undermining the patient-physician relationship and potentially criminalizing evidence-based medical care.

Read full statement here.