Many AAPLOG members have witnessed or experienced the harmful impact of ‘opt-out’ induced abortion training, which places undue pressure on medical residents. We believe no resident should have to jeopardize their career simply to decline unnecessary training that violates their commitment to life-affirming medicine. After all, every OB/GYN resident already learns how to manage miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, and other pregnancy complications as part of standard education.
In a time when we are experiencing growing maternal healthcare deserts across the country, we can’t afford to discourage future physicians from choosing this field that so many of us love and is crucial to improving the health of our nation. Thankfully, Rep. Greg Murphy (NC), a physician himself, and Sen. James Lankford (OK) share our concerns.
On Thursday, Nov. 20, they introduced the Conscience Protections for Medical Residents Act. Inspired by AAPLOG and our education at the Pro-Life Doctors Caucus, which Rep. Murphy co-chairs, this bill restores true choice by making abortion training ‘opt-in’ again, as it was for decades.
If this bill is enacted into law, the criteria put forth by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for OB/GYN residency programs to maintain their accreditation would have to shift training in induced abortion from opt out back to opt in only – what it was for nearly 30 years prior to 2018.
This commonsense change would not hinder access to abortion training for any resident who wants it – those who do would still be provided the opportunity. However, for those who have a moral or medical opposition to performing induced abortions (or even for those who simply don’t want to do them as part of their practice), this would protect them from unfair pressure when they try to “opt out.” – something that we know is happening on a regular basis from our members.
Regardless of party affiliation, this is a commonsense bill that every member of Congress should get behind. Thanks to AAPLOG and AAPLOG Action’s advocacy, the introduction of this bill is the next step in our commitment to fighting for and supporting medical students and residents nationwide, and as a result, giving them the power of real choice and the ability to practice medicine that respects the lives of ALL our patients.
