Abortion is a topic that remains controversial and political, and access to safe and affordable reproductive healthcare can be challenging for many people. On February 7th, we gathered a politician, a patient, and a panel of abortion providers to discuss the impact of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on access to healthcare.
In this panel discussion, abortion providers Dr. Marji Gold '69, Dr. DeShawn Taylor, MSc, and Dr. Bhavik Kumar, MPH, discussed the many health ramifications of the Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision on pregnant people. Practicing in New York, Arizona, and Texas, the providers highlighted the uneven landscape of abortion access and the impacts that have on miscarriage management, training, and the workforce. We also heard from Kylee, a patient advocate who shared her personal experience in accessing abortion care and the ongoing challenges patients face. New York State Sen. Shelley B. Mayer discussed senate Bill S1066A. Sen. Mayer introduced this bill to protect New York clinicians who prescribe medication abortion pills via telemedicine to patients in restrictive states.
While New York has taken steps to protect abortion access, the situation in Texas has worsened with the recent SB8 law and the Dobbs decision making abortion illegal and inaccessible in the state. The law's private enforcement mechanism allows anyone to sue anyone else who is "aiding or abetting" someone accessing an abortion, causing fear among providers and patients. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the law is not written by medical providers and is difficult to interpret.
The challenges of accessing abortion care are not exclusive to the United States. Canada, often viewed as a model for universal healthcare, still faces shortages of providers, medication, and gestational limits varying by province. Travel barriers, costs, lack of training, and patient childcare issues are among the challenges. While these barriers mirror those faced by much of the US, the situation is not as severe as in the US, where providers and patients may face prosecution. Additionally, due to training capacity issues, many Canadian physicians traveled to the US to obtain abortion training. The Dobbs decision makes this untenable.
[What gives me hope is] young people in high school and college that are organizing and doing what they need to do to make their future look different from how it looks now and thinking in ways that are different and innovative and using the Internet and Tiktok and everything else to protest and to demand what they deserve.
The accessibility and availability of abortion services in Arizona before and after the Dobbs decision have been limited due to the largely rural area and the concentration of providers in the Phoenix metro area. Many people have had to leave the state for care, and the financial stability of independent providers has been affected by the decision. Medical students and residents are exploring their options when it comes to training in states that limit access to abortion and the ways they can talk to their patients.
Despite the challenges and barriers, many providers and advocates continue to work towards normalizing abortion and increasing access to care. The dedication and experiences of providers and activists are beacons of hope. One provider finds hope in the activism of young people. “[What gives me hope is] young people in high school and college that are organizing and doing what they need to do to make their future look different from how it looks now and thinking in ways that are different and innovative and using the Internet and Tiktok and everything else to protest and to demand what they deserve.”
In conclusion, the conversations and efforts towards ensuring access to safe and affordable reproductive healthcare are ongoing and critical.