7/27/2019 Physicians for Reproductive Health WV Comments to AG Morrisey FINAL

1/2

Attorney General Patrick MorriseyOffice of the Attorney GeneralWest Virginia State Capitol Building 1, Room 26-ECharleston, WV 25305

August 16, 2013

Re: Attorney General Review of Abortion Laws

Dear Attorney General Morrisey:

Physicians for Reproductive Health is a doctor-led national advocacyorganization that uses evidence-based medicine to promote soundreproductive health policies. We work to make quality reproductive healthservices an integral part of medicine. As physicians, we support access tocomprehensive reproductive health care services for all women. We believethat politics and ideology should not enter into the doctor-patientrelationship. We also oppose medically unjustified regulations that serve only

to hinder access to safe and legal abortion.

Approximately 90 percent of all abortions in this country occur early inpregnancy. 1 Both medication and surgical abortion are very safe andeffective procedures, 2 and both are the standard of care for most womenwho want to terminate a pregnancy. Risk of death from either medication orsurgical abortion is over 20 times less than for childbirth. 3 Rates of infectionand serious complications following a medication or surgical abortion arealso extremely low. 4

Regulations governing abortion practice should be rooted in evidence-basedmedicine, serve legitimate health interests, and not impede access to

1 Meckstroth K, Paul M. First trimester aspiration abortion. In: Paul M, Lichtenberg S,Borgatta L, Grimes DA, Stubblefield PG, Creinin MD, eds. Management of Unintended and Abnormal Pregnancy: Comprehensive Abortion Care . Sussex, UK: Wiley Blackwell;2009: 135.

2 Meckstroth K, Paul M. First trimester aspiration abortion. In: Paul M, Lichtenberg S,Borgatta L, Grimes DA, Stubblefield PG, Creinin MD, eds. Management of Unintended and Abnormal Pregnancy: Comprehensive Abortion Care . Sussex, UK: Wiley Blackwell;2009: 136. See also Grimes DA. Risks of mifepristone abortion in context.

Contraception. 2005; 71(3):161 and Bartz D, Goldberg A. Medication abortion. ClinObstet Gynecol . 2009 ; 52(2)140-150.

3 Koonin, L, Strauss, L, Chrisman, C, Parker, W. Abortion Surveillance United States,1997. MMWR Surveillance Summaries. 2000; 49(S S11); 1-44. Centers for DiseaseControl. Available for download athttp://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss4911a1.htm .

4 Meckstroth K, Paul M. First trimester aspiration abortion. In: Paul M, Lichtenberg S,Borgatta L, Grimes DA, Stubblefield PG, Creinin MD, eds. Management of Unintended and Abnormal Pregnancy: Comprehensive Abortion Care . Sussex, UK: Wiley Blackwell;2009: 138.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss4911a1.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss4911a1.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss4911a1.htm

7/27/2019 Physicians for Reproductive Health WV Comments to AG Morrisey FINAL

2/2

abortion care. When abortion becomes less accessible, it becomes less safe. Women may delay theircare as they locate a provider, travel greater distances, or even seek the services of an unlicensedprovider. 5 In 2008, 96% of West Virginia counties had no abortion provider and 84% of women in WestVirginia lived in those counties. 6 While West Virginia women have the right to safe, legal abortion, inreality there are few facilities that provide this essential care.

We urge the state to consider measures that would expand access to safe and legal abortion, not limitthe ability of a woman to access care or intrude upon her relationship with her health care provider.Unfortunately, we have seen numerous other states abuse their power to regulate by institutingideologically motivated, medically unjustified rules under the guise of patient safety. West Virginiawomen come from all walks of life, from every situation imaginable, and women who seek abortionshave weighed all the options and know in their hearts that this private decision is best for themselvesand their families. They should not bear the heavy burden of regulations that have no medical benefit orbasis.

Physicians for Reproductive Health appreciates the opportunity to submit these comments and willcontinue to monitor this process as it moves forward.

Sincerely,

Nancy Stanwood, MD, MPHBoard Chair

5 For example, in Pennsylvania, a state with restrictive laws that limit womens access to abortion, Kermit Gosnellpreyed on low-income women who had few options to obtain the care they needed. His practice was illegal,unethical, and unsafe.

6 State Facts About Abortion. The Guttmacher Institute (available for download athttp://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/sfaa/west_virginia.html ).

http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/sfaa/west_virginia.htmlhttp://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/sfaa/west_virginia.htmlhttp://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/sfaa/west_virginia.html