The Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to outlaw abortion, according to a written draft of the justices’ opinion that leaked to the media last night. In response, Dr. Rachel Villanueva, President of the National Medical Association, issued the following statement:
“As African American physicians, we are devastated by the impact the overturn of Roe v. Wade will have on our communities, our patients, and our profession. The decision to seek abortion care is a highly personal medical decision – a decision that should stay between patient and doctor – not the federal government. Restricting reproductive rights directly interferes with the ability of physicians to provide the best possible care for our patients. The results will be catastrophic for women everywhere, especially Black and brown women, and set a chilling precedent for the medical field.”
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The NMA promotes the collective interests of physicians and patients of African descent. We carry out this mission by serving as the collective voice of physicians of African descent and a leading force for parity in medicine, elimination of health disparities and promotion of optimal health.
