Frank Pallone Jr.
08/20/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/20/2024 07:35
Rep. Pallone: Ending Roe has imperiled the reproductive health system. But there is a solution | Opinion - Star Ledger
By Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.
For the last 10 months, I've been investigating how the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has upended reproductive health care across the nation. The discoveries have been appalling: The Court not only stripped away the constitutional right to abortion care, it has endangered women's lives and undermined the education and training of the next generation of reproductive health care doctors.
As the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees crucial sectors like health care, energy, and consumer protection, I have heard increasingly troubling stories about the profound consequences of the Dobbs ruling over the last two years.
To better understand these impacts, the committee sought to uncover the widespread effects of abortion restrictions on medical training and patient care. Through interviews with leaders from 20 OBGYN residency programs across 15 states, we revealed a troubling landscape, where these restrictions are eroding the foundations of women's health care.
One of the most alarming revelations is the significant decline in hands-on abortion training for OBGYN residents in states with severe abortion restrictions or outright bans. In some cases, residents are now relegated to theoretical instruction or even simulations on pieces of fruit -- substitutes that pale in comparison to real-life practice.
Imagine a scenario in which your doctor has only managed life-threatening pregnancy complications on a dragon fruit. That's the dangerous reality we're heading toward if abortion rights are not restored.
Even in New Jersey, a state that has fought vigorously to protect reproductive rights, our hospitals and residency programs are under immense pressure as they work to accommodate patients and residents from states with restrictive laws. While this is obviously the right thing to do, it is also straining our health care providers, who are seeing increased patient loads and sicker patients who had to delay care.
The committee's report also brings to light the severe mental health toll on these providers.
Many OBGYNs and residents are grappling with what's known as "moral injury," where they are forced to choose between adhering to restrictive laws and providing the care they know their patients need. This ethical conflict is leading to increased burnout, frustration, and even depression among those on the front lines of reproductive health care.
The findings of this report underscore an urgent truth: We can no longer way to apply a national solution.
The Women's Health Protection Act (H.R. 12) is essential legislation that would restore Roe's protections nationwide, ensuring that women, no matter where they live, can access the comprehensive care they deserve. It would also safeguard doctors from the threat of legal action simply for providing the care that their patients need.
New Jersey has long been a leader in safeguarding women's health, but this is a burden we cannot carry alone.
National action is crucial to prevent this crisis from deepening. If we fail to act, we are not only failing a generation of doctors. We risk the health and lives of women across the country.
Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. represents New Jersey's 6th Congressional District and serves as the Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.