Telemedicine is a safe and effective way of delivering medical abortion care

Today, WisOpinion.com published my letter to the editor about an abortion ban that would restrict women's access to medical abortion care in Wisconsin:

In her Feb 27 column and statements made on the Senate floor, Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, misrepresents the National Abortion Federation's Clinical Policy Guidelines (CPGs) in her attempts to justify an unnecessary abortion regulation that would restrict women's access to medical abortion care through telemedicine.

Our CPGs set the standard for quality abortion care in North America. Contrary to Lazich's statements, our CPGs do not require that a physician conducts a physical exam or be present when a woman takes the first medication to begin a medical abortion.

During a medical abortion, a woman takes one medication at a facility, and then completes the process by taking a second medication in the privacy of her home. Medical abortion gives women a safe and effective way to terminate a pregnancy in the first trimester, and a growing number of facilities have sought to increase women's access to such care using telemedicine.

Telemedicine is safely expanding a wide range of health care, from cardiac care to asthma care. When telemedicine is used for medical abortion care, a supervising physician talks to the patient about the procedure via live two-way video conference while a nurse is in the room with the patient. Telemedicine has proven to be a safe and effective way of delivering medical abortion care.

The proposed bill in Wisconsin is politically-motivated and not about protecting women's health. That's why groups including the Wisconsin Medical Society oppose it. Decisions about medical procedures and patient care should be left to clinicians and their patients, not politicians like Lazich who have their own personal agenda of banning abortion.

Federal Judge Throws Out Challenge to Massachusetts Buffer Zone Law

This week, U.S. District Judge Joseph L. Tauro rejected a challenge to a law that creates a 35-foot fixed buffer zone around the driveways and entrances of women’s health care facilities in Massachusetts.

The lawsuit was filed in April 2008 by seven anti-abortion protesters who claimed that the law violated their free speech, free association, due process, and equal protection rights.

Attorney General Martha Coakley, whose office defended the law, said, “We are pleased that the court has upheld the Commonwealth’s buffer zone law, which enhances public safety and access to reproductive health care facilities, while preserving freedom of expression. The court agreed that the buffer zone leaves open ample opportunities for communication and civil engagement on the public ways outside the facilities.”

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Amended Virginia Ultrasound Mandate Should Still be Rejected

Today, I issued the following statement on Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell's proposed amendments to the a state ultrasound bill:

Today, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell asked legislators to make a series of amendments to a bill that would require women seeking abortion care to have an ultrasound. But even with the proposed amendments, this bill is an unwarranted intrusion into medical decision making and should be rejected in its entirety.

There is no medical reason to require any type of ultrasound procedure in a state statute. The debate over this bill has clearly shown that the intent is political and not based on the medical standard of care.

The National Abortion Federation sets the standard for quality abortion care in North America through our evidence-based Clinical Policy Guidelines. Like in the rest of the medical community, our Guidelines are based on medical evidence and known patient outcomes. We do not require an ultrasound for first trimester abortion care because there is no evidence that doing so improves patient outcomes or the safety of abortion care. Abortion is already one of the safest medical procedures in the United States.

Although many of our members use ultrasound evaluation to confirm pregnancy in the first trimester, that does not mean that states like Virginia should make it mandatory. The decision about whether an ultrasound is done and by what method should be a medical decision left to the clinician and the patient. The state has no place in these decisions.

This law also has a 24-hour waiting requirement that disrespects women and will make it harder  for some women to access the abortion care they need—especially those that have difficulty scheduling more time off of work, arranging child care, or traveling to the clinic. Women carefully consider their options before they make an appointment and visit a clinic; they do not need to be subjected to a state-mandated waiting period before they can obtain abortion care.

We urge the Governor and the General Assembly to reject the ultrasound mandate in its entirety and leave medical decisions to clinicians and their patients.

Wednesday's Words from Women

My birth control was replaced with a different brand—not the kind I normally use. My menstrual cycle was off so I decided to go see my doctor to find out what was going on. He gave me a pregnancy test and the results were negative. I was then given a prescription for birth control I had used before and my doctor told me my cycle would straighten out in a couple of months. It never did. I took another test and found out I was pregnant. I have been taking birth control as well as medication for my seizures for the past five months, so I am concerned about possible birth defects.  I want kids one day, but I want to make sure that they are healthy as well.

--Submitted by Mae through a member clinic

With the economy in a downward spiral, it’s becoming more and more difficult to manage my expenses. I was very careful with using contraceptives and yet I still got pregnant and I cannot afford this right now. I am already a mother so this is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. However, the assistance and support I received from NAF’s member clinic in Ohio is probably the only relief I’ve felt during this very lonely time.

--Submitted by Lena through a member clinic

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we feature real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.

Wednesday's Words from Women

I grew up in a very conservative Christian family. My father was the president of a local anti-choice organization. I am so thankful for NAF and its member clinic in Colorado for their help and quality care. Sometimes continuing with a pregnancy is not the best option. I do have  a child and although I am thankful, I’m also thankful for the right to choose!

--Submitted by Remy* through a member clinic

I believe every case has its own unique circumstances. I had an abortion when I was 22 years old and I swore I would never do it again. However, I am now 40 years old and I have three kids ages 21, 20, and 6, and am pregnant again. I have a three-year-old grandson as well. I feel like I am done having children. I have always been a single parent and I am ready to make a career for myself. I have lived in poverty all my life and I feel that it isn’t fair to bring another child into this situation. I also am worried about being pregnant at my age and that I am not mentally strong enough to cope with the huge responsibility of having another child. It is extremely difficult for me to get babysitters. I have tried to get through college but I had to work to support my kids. I am ready to go back to school, but if I continue this pregnancy I would not be able to. There are many, many reasons I feel this was the best choice for me. The Hotline was wonderful as I really needed help in order to get this care. Thank you.

--Submitted by Jacey* through a member clinic

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we feature real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.

Komen for the Cure Foundation Cuts Funding to Planned Parenthood

Earlier this week, the Susan B. Komen for the Cure Foundation announced they would not continue grants to Planned Parenthood that had been used to provide breast cancer screenings and mammograms to thousands of low-income and uninsured women.

According to The Los Angeles Times, Komen claims their defunding decision was due to the foundation's recently enacted policy to not fund organizations that are under investigation by local, state or federal authorities. That would disqualify Planned Parenthood, which is the subject of a congressional inquiry begun in September by Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) to determine whether it has used federal money to fund abortions, which is forbidden by law.

This investigation is politically motivated and bogus. It is unconscionable that Komen would succumb to political pressure from abortion opponents. Their decision will undoubtedly jeopardize the lives and health of low-income women who often have nowhere else to turn for this care.

There is also speculation that this decision is related to the foundation recently filling a key vice president position with Karen Handel who has been outspoken about her anti-choice beliefs. Following the extensive media coverage and public outcry over this decision, Handel reportedly retweeted that it is "typical of an abortion group to turn a fundraising decision into a political bomb." The tweet has since been deleted.

A single individual's personal, political beliefs should not get in the way of providing necessary health care to women, which is central to Komen’s mission of saving lives and ending breast cancer for women. Whatever their reason, Komen’s decision to end a relationship that has saved thousands of women's lives is deeply disturbing.

Wednesday's Words from Women

I am a single mother raising two boys. I am a full-time college student and I work full-time as well. There is no paid leave at my job so if I don’t work, I don’t get paid. If I were to have another child, all four of us would be homeless within a few months.

I have always been pro-choice. Fundamentally, it is a woman’s choice when it comes to matters of her body.  Her medical and family choices are her own.

--Submitted by Kansas* through a member clinic

I am a 20-year-old college student, majoring in forensic science. I discovered I was pregnant after my birth control failed. I made the decision to have an abortion because my partner and I are not mentally and financially ready to become parents. I would also like to be married or in a stable relationship, with a well paying job, before I decide to have a child.

--Submitted by Teegan* through a member clinic

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we feature real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.