Since Dobbs, pregnancy and pregnancy loss have been treated as crimes in at least 902 cases across 23 states, according to a new report from Pregnancy Justice. Most of the people charged are low-income. Nearly all of the cases involved allegations of substance use, including dozens of people who were taking prescribed medications like suboxone or methadone. Others were accused over a lack of prenatal care, even in places where NO prenatal care exists.
Our hosts this week, Drs. Erin Stevens and Dr. Chelsea Daniels, break down the report and what it means for patients and providers. We also look at the new White House women’s health task force and who is on it, and explain why “falling fertility” headlines are really about birth rates and why that difference matters. We dig into a new study suggesting viability limits don’t sway voters as much as we thought, and a JAMA Internal Medicine study showing the FDA-required mifepristone patient form doesn’t improve patient understanding.
Finally, we discuss Idaho’s OB-GYN exodus and what it looks like when half the state’s counties have no obstetrician.
LINKS
White House: Advancing Women’s Health To Improve Outcomes In All Phases Of Life
The New York Times: Melania Trump Announces White House Women’s Health Initiative
AlterNet: Trump humiliates Melania with stunning remark at her big White House moment
The Independent: The US fertility rate has hit another record low despite MAGA calls for a ‘baby boom’
ABORTION, EVERY DAY: ‘Viability’ Limits Don’t Move Voters
Medical Daily: Signing the FDA-Required Mifepristone Agreement Form Did Not Meaningfully Raise Knowledge in Five-State Trial of 593 Patients
The New York Times: When Idaho Banned Abortion, OB-GYNs Fled. The Doctors Who Stayed Are Cracking.
KFF Health News: New Arrivals in the ER? Georgia Gears Up To Solve Rural Maternal Health Crisis
FOLLOW THE DOCS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Dr Kristin Lyerly (@drkristinlyerly)
Dr Erin Stevens (@erinstevensmdobgyn)
Dr Chris Ford (@doc_4ord)
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