AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization:
“We are deeply concerned about the impact of the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson on patients nationwide. The court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, rescinding the protection of the right to safe and effective abortions for nearly five decades, will leave women’s reproductive health under the purview of various state laws. Laws and policies that restrict or otherwise interfere with the patient-physician relationship put a patient at risk by limiting access to quality, evidence-based care.
Everyone should be able to access comprehensive health care, including women of reproductive age. Restrictive state laws will severely limit a patient’s access to comprehensive reproductive health care, interfere in the patient-physician relationship, and override what is ultimately a clinician’s responsibility to provide the best medical care for every patient. Furthermore, the court’s nullification of this patient protection will impose a great burden on historically and economically marginalized and disadvantaged populations, who already suffer from limited access to our health care system.
The consequence of today’s decision will significantly limit access for so many and increase health inequities across the country, ultimately putting women’s lives at risk, at the very time that we should be redoubling our commitment to patient-centered, evidence-based care that promotes better health for all individuals and communities.
It is crucial that physicians have comprehensive training in the full spectrum of reproductive health care, since similar medical procedures address many health conditions. All medical schools currently require students to complete a clerkship in obstetrics and gynecology, and OB-GYN residencies are required to provide training or access to training on the provision of abortions, though residents with objections may opt out of performing induced abortions. The AAMC will evaluate the court’s decision and its implications for medical education and health care.
We strongly oppose this decision and will continue working with our medical schools and teaching hospitals to ensure that physicians are able to provide all patients with safe, effective, and accessible health care when they need it."