I recently cared for a woman named Ann who had rheumatic heart disease. Ann had had surgery to replace two of her heart valves and to repair a third valve after she suffered heart failure during a previous pregnancy.

Pregnant again, Ann was experiencing chest pain and carrying a baby with severe abnormalities. This pregnancy put her health, and likely her life, at significant risk due to her mechanical heart valves, weakened heart muscles, and anti-clotting medication. The stress on her heart would have become more severe as her pregnancy continued. We were able to provide Ann with the abortion she needed, but because she did not have insurance coverage, she had to delay her care, further risking her health.