FORMERLY PHYSICIANS FOR REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE AND HEALTH

Physicians for Reproductive Health

Media Center

Physicians for Reproductive Health represents doctors from across the United States who believe that all women, men, and children should have access to quality reproductive health care.  Our physicians are nationally recognized experts in abortion, contraception, and sex education.  They can explain how political interference limits the delivery of reproductive health care, and offer an insider’s perspective on new developments in reproductive medicine.

Physicians for Reproductive Health is your source for background information and firsthand insight into reproductive health care. To arrange an interview with a physician or get additional background information, contact:

Dana Rasso, Communications Manager: 646-649-9935, dana@prh.org

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Press Kits

Our press kits offer you background information on key issues in reproductive health care, as well as stories and perspectives from pro-choice doctors.

Recent Press Releases:

House Votes to Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks with No Exception for a Woman’s Health

Doctors to Congress: “The politicians who voted in favor of this legislation have made a clear statement—they do not believe a woman’s health matters.”

New York, NY—Today, the House of Representatives voted in favor of legislation that would ban abortions 20 weeks after fertilization (22 weeks LMP) with no exception for a woman’s health.

Physicians for Reproductive Health Board Chair Dr. Nancy Stanwood reacted to the vote, issuing the following statement:

“In a stunning display of disregard for the good practice of medicine, the House voted today to block doctors from saving the health of a woman facing serious complications later in pregnancy. The politicians who voted in favor of this legislation have made a clear statement—they do not believe a woman’s health matters. These lawmakers ignored the well-being of the nation’s sisters, daughters, and mothers who need abortion care to preserve their health. We thank the many members of Congress who voted against this dangerous bill and who value the health of the patients whom my colleagues and I see every day.”

Physicians for Reproductive Health has several patient stories collected from our physician members detailing the need for abortion care later in pregnancy. Those stories can be found online here.  Read More

Doctors to House of Representatives: H.R. 1797 Still Hurts Women

New language does not cure the problems with the bill.

New York, NY—Sponsors of H.R. 1797, the nationwide ban that would criminalize abortions 20 weeks after fertilization (22 weeks LMP) have announced a change to the bill that adds an exception for rape and incest.

While the sponsors have acknowledged that some women do become pregnant as a result of rape, they continue to ignore the medical realities of pregnancy.

Dr. Nancy Stanwood, Board Chair of Physicians for Reproductive Health, reacted to the change.

“Abortion opponents in the House of Representatives claim to care about women. Yet H.R. 1797 at its core disregards the well-being and dignity of women. It still lacks a critical exception to protect a woman’s health. I remember a patient whom I will call Laura. She became ill at 22 weeks into her first pregnancy with early onset severe pre-eclampsia. Laura’s blood pressure rose dangerously, her kidneys stopped working well, and she was at risk for seizures. To protect her health, she needed to end her wanted pregnancy. I was able to provide her with the timely and safe abortion care she needed. Laura felt a future pregnancy would be too risky and went onto adopt three children.

“When facing such serious medical risks, women like Laura need the safest care modern medicine can offer. H.R. 1797 ignores the health realities women face in pregnancy and is counter to good medical care, where preserving health is what protects a patient from a risk to her life. Had this bill been law, I would have had to wait for Laura to be facing death before I could have provided her with the abortion she needed.

“The revision to H.R. 1797 creates an exception for rape survivors, but it mandates that a woman who has been raped report the attack to law enforcement. Rape is grossly underreported and women’s reasons for not reporting are complex and understandable. Many women fear reprisal from their attacker and are intimidated by the reporting process. My patients have felt that they would not get justice and just wanted to put the trauma behind them.

“H.R. 1797 still suffers from ignorance and a profound lack of compassion. We urge members of Congress to vote against H.R. 1797.”  Read More

House Judiciary Advances Nationwide Ban On Later Abortions

Doctors’ group decries vote: “Women and families need compassion and a chance to make heartbreaking choices with dignity, not arbitrary barriers that limit their access to safe medical care. This bill robs them of their decision-making abilities.”

New York, NY—Today, the House Judiciary Committee advanced the nationwide ban on abortions after 20 weeks (H.R. 1797). This bill stands in direct conflict with Roe v. Wade and criminalizes doctors caring for patients.

Physicians for Reproductive Health (Physicians) opposes the ban because it takes decision-making away from women and their doctors and ignores the real-life circumstances that women and their families face.

Dr. Nancy Stanwood, Board Chair of Physicians, issued the following statement in response to the Judiciary Committee’s 20 to 12 vote:

“I am horrified by the callous actions of the House Judiciary Committee today and the effect this bill could have on the lives of women who seek my care. I can’t help but think of one of my patients, who I will call Jane. I met her two weeks into what she called her ‘nightmare.’

“Jane and her husband were expecting their first child and had gone to their prenatal ultrasound with excitement. Instead they received devastating news—the kind of news all pregnant women fear and hope to never get. The ultrasound revealed that the fetus had a significant cardiac abnormality. Shell-shocked by the news, they went home and considered whether to undergo amniocentesis and consult a pediatric cardiologist. They decided to do both and were able to schedule the amniocentesis and consultation three days later. They had to wait another eight days for devastating news from the test results—the diagnosis was a lethal fetal anomaly, Trisomy 18. The majority of pregnancies diagnosed with Trisomy 18 result in stillbirths, and most babies born with this genetic condition do not live more than a few days. Jane and her husband met with the high-risk obstetricians and genetic counselors again and after hearing all of their options, decided to terminate the pregnancy. That is when I took them into my care, walked this difficult path with them, and performed Jane’s abortion 15 days after her ultrasound.

“As is common with most women, Jane had her prenatal ultrasound around the 20-week mark, when fetal anatomy can be well studied. I performed her abortion at 22 weeks and five days. Had this bill been law in my state during Jane’s pregnancy, she and her husband would not have had the time for the necessary testing, consultation, counseling, and reflection. When facing such a stressful and tragic situation, women and families need compassion and a chance to make these heartbreaking choices with dignity, not arbitrary barriers that limit their access to safe medical care. This bill robs them of their decision-making abilities. I urge members of the House of Representatives to oppose this harmful legislation.”  Read More

Doctors Relieved as Administration Drops Opposition to Over-the-Counter Emergency Contraception

Medicine and science triumph over politics

Yesterday, the Obama Administration announced that it would drop its attempts to block sales of Plan B One-Step emergency contraception without age restriction, which allow for the medication to be sold on open store shelves, without identification requirements. Removing barriers to this time-sensitive medication will increase access not only for younger women but also for people of all ages without access to government-issued identification.

Dr. Nancy Stanwood, Physicians for Reproductive Health (Physicians) board chair, issued the following statement in response to the announcement:

“We are relieved that the Administration has finally listened to science and medicine and that women of all ages will have access to emergency contraception. For over a decade, Physicians has endorsed an end to the unfounded and harmful age restrictions on this safe and effective medication. Multitudes of studies have demonstrated that emergency contraception is safe for use by teens of all ages and that teens, like adults, can follow the instructions safely. Too many women in the U.S. have gone without this necessary medication because the pharmacy counter is closed, they don’t have government-issued ID, or they’re under 17 and lack a prescription.

“Today is a milestone for reproductive health. We look forward to seeing this medication on store shelves as soon as possible.”  Read More