Today U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) introduced a nationwide abortion ban.
President & CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health and ob/gyn in DC Dr. Jamila Perritt responds:
“Senator Graham’s proposed bill is a lot of things. It is despicable, medically and scientifically inaccurate, and cruel. But it is not surprising. We, in the medical community, knew that overturning Roe v. Wade was never the end goal for anti-abortion politicians. The title alone is full of misinformation and relies on fear-mongering tactics. It is a clear indication of their political agenda being advanced, designed to further strip people’s bodily autonomy, punish those who are seeking care, and end access to abortion for every person.
“Make no mistake – any abortion restriction is inhumane and unnecessary. Restrictions on abortion care have far-reaching consequences, and a national ban will further existing inequities and worsen health outcomes for pregnant people and people giving birth. The medical community has been sounding the alarm about this reproductive oppression, and the disproportionate impact it has on people of color and those historically marginalized from care.
“This measure is a sweeping effort to further restrict and criminalize abortion, and it must be opposed. We will not be silent or silenced. Congress must pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, end the Hyde Amendment, and the Biden Administration must take action on its promises to protect and expand abortion access in the wake of Roe’s overturn. Because, as Senator Graham’s bill illustrates, anti-abortion extremists are far from finished and we must do whatever is necessary to protect the lives of our patients and communities from further attacks on our ability to choose if, when, and how to start a family.”