In response to the passing of former Attorney General Janet Reno, who was a strong advocate for protecting abortion providers, President of Physicians for Reproductive Health, Jodi Magee, issued the following statement:
“Physicians for Reproductive Health mourns the passing of former Attorney General Janet Reno. Attorney General Reno, the first woman to hold this position, was a champion defender of reproductive health care providers at a time when violence against abortion providers was escalating. Toward this end, she supported and enforced the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. In the wake of the 1998 murder of Dr. Barnett Slepian in his home, she established the National Task Force on Violence Against Health Care Providers. At that time, these actions gave our community of doctors a measure of solace that someone in the highest reaches of our government was willing to take action to protect them and their patients. At a time in our country when we are again seeing increases in violence and harassment, our network of physicians from around the country is reminded of her willing engagement with these issues. We remain deeply grateful for her efforts. Our thoughts and condolences are with her sister Maggie and her seven nieces and nephews.”
