As a professional association for multidisciplinary professionals in Idaho who work in the sector of sexual health, we are greatly concerned that the delivery of essential health care in a safe manner could now be criminalized. Medical and mental healthcare rest first and foremost on providing care that will keep our patients safe. This move by Idaho’s government intrudes deeply on private citizens’ right to care and the provider’s right to ethically provide it. We stand with AMA (the American Medical Association) who has stated: “In alignment with our long-held position that the early termination of a pregnancy is a medical matter between the patient and physician, subject only to the physician’s clinical judgment and the patient’s informed consent, the AMA condemns the high court’s interpretation in this case. We will always have physicians’ backs and defend the practice of medicine, we will fight to protect the patient-physician relationship, and we will oppose any law or regulation that compromises or criminalizes patient access to safe, evidence-based medical care, including abortion.” We stand with APA (the American Psychological Association) who has stated: “Rigorous, long-term psychological research demonstrates clearly that people who are denied abortions are more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety, lower life satisfaction and lower self-esteem compared with those who are able to obtain abortions. Research also suggests that adding barriers to accessing abortion services may increase symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. And, there is a strong relationship between unwanted pregnancy and interpersonal violence. Specifically, psychological science…
