Statement attributable to:
Isaac O. Opole, MBChB, PhD, MACP
President, American College of Physicians
WASHINGTON June 27, 2024 – The American College of Physicians (ACP) is relieved by the U.S. Supreme Court decision that despite Idaho law restricting abortion care, patients are still entitled to receive care in the case of a health emergency. ACP and other physician organizations filed an amicus brief in this case because enforcing the Idaho law without regard for the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act is forcing physicians and other health care professionals to disregard their own medical expertise and training in caring for patients. This type of harmful government interference in the patient-physician relationship is unacceptable.
While today’s decision is a relief for the health of patients in Idaho, more needs to be done to ensure that they are able to access necessary abortion services. Instead of enacting laws that interfere with health care, we should be seeking ways to improve patient access to evidence-based care. ACP is committed to ensuring that our patients are able to access necessary services and that governmental interference does not prevent access to necessary care.
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About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 145 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 161,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Contact: Laura Baldwin, (215) 351-2668, lbaldwin@acponline.org