OPINION: Prop 139 is necessary ensure physicians like myself can fully care for our patients

The Arizona for Abortion Access Act will help keep healthcare providers in the state because it will allow them to do their job without government intervention.

As an OB/GYN physician, I’m glad to see that the Arizona for Abortion Access campaign recently turned in the most voter signatures ever collected in order to put abortion access on the ballot this November. This proposed amendment to the state constitution, known as the Arizona Abortion Access Act, will protect the rights of my patients and Arizonans across the state to make their own personal, private medical decisions with their healthcare providers and their families — and without government interference.

The need for this amendment has never been greater. Earlier this year, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that a 160-year-old, near-total abortion ban still on the books could go back into effect. This ban was originally enacted before Arizona even gained statehood, and is extreme, without any exceptions — even for rape or incest. The only exception is an ambiguous one to save a woman’s life. 

15-week ban still in effect

While the Arizona Legislature voted to repeal this 1864 ban, the repeal didn’t take effect immediately. And, unfortunately, Arizona still has the dangerous 15-week ban on the books. Like the 1864 ban, the 15-week ban has no exceptions for survivors of rape or incest.

Having counseled countless patients during my time as a physician, I know that every pregnancy is unique and presents different health challenges. There are innumerable complications that can arise, putting the patient’s health and very life at risk, and many of these are unexpected and unavoidable. 

For example, preeclampsia can cause dangerously high blood pressure in pregnancy, even in women who have no history of high blood pressure. Many patients with preeclampsia don’t feel any symptoms, but this condition can threaten their lives.

That’s why decisions around pregnancy and abortion should be handled between trained physicians, patients, and their families. Politicians shouldn’t be making these sensitive, personal decisions. But that’s exactly what bans like Arizona’s do — allow politicians to force patients’ hands.

Abortion bans endanger women

Bans like Arizona’s force pregnant patients to flee the state for care (if they have the financial ability to do so), take time off work, find childcare, etc. If they cannot make those sacrifices, they’re forced to remain pregnant, even if they are suffering life-threatening complications like the aforementioned, or are survivors of rape, incest, or human trafficking. 

It’s not just patients who need abortion care who will be impacted by Arizona’s bans, however. Abortion bans are increasingly driving medical students away from applying for residency positions in states where they’re enacted. Medical students understandably want to get their experience in states where they can learn and practice the full scope of medicine, and become the best physicians for their patients that they can be. I was proud to move to Arizona and establish my family and practice here, but I fear new graduates will avoid our state, leaving Arizonans of all types with less access to quality health care.

Arizonans deserve access to the healthcare we need, and they deserve the freedom to make our own healthcare decisions. We don’t deserve to have politicians playing games with our health, freedom, and livelihood.

The Arizona Abortion Access Act will end the state’s arbitrary, dangerous abortion ban and ensure that patients can make their own decisions around pregnancy with their families and their doctors. Voting yes will restore our freedom and protect our health.