The Alaska Director of Planned Parenthood has condemned Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s April 7 order that all elective surgical abortions be immediately halted in order to preserve critical medical supplies for those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are disappointed to see Governor Dunleavy go the way of some of the most hostile states in the country on abortion rights, but we are not surprised,” said state director Jessica Cler. “The bottom line is, abortion is an essential, time-sensitive medical procedure,” she maintained.
Pro-life physicians, however, have denounced the call to continue elective abortions during the COVID-19 crisis.
Cler claimed the ban on surgical abortions was an attempt to “exploit a public health crisis to score political points and restrict abortion access.” She said public officials should actually “expand access, not restrict care” during the coronavirus crisis.
Pro-life physicians, however, have denounced the call to continue elective abortions during the COVID-19 crisis.
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A coalition of over 30,000 physicians, including members of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Pediatricians, Christian Medical & Dental Associations, the Catholic Medical Association, and the Association of American Physicians & Surgeons, stated that elective abortions are non-essential.
“In such an uncertain and tumultuous time, the entire healthcare profession is being called upon to conserve resources and healthcare professionals to an extent never seen before,” a statement from the group observes. “And yet, in the midst of this call, while hospitals are postponing elective procedures and many outpatient clinics are rescheduling non-essential office visits, the abortion industry continues with business as usual.”
The physicians conclude that “continuing to perform elective abortions during a pandemic is medically irresponsible.
The statement highlights that “over 85% of practicing obstetricians and gynecologists do not perform elective abortions. If elective abortion were an ‘essential component’ of women’s health care, it would be a part of every obstetric and gynecologic practice.”
The physicians conclude that “continuing to perform elective abortions during a pandemic is medically irresponsible. Elective abortion is neither “essential” nor “urgent,” but it does consume critical resources such as masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment, and unnecessarily exposes patients and physicians to pathogens.”
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule this week on whether states that have restricted abortion during the health crisis are within their constitutional rights.
