ICYMI: New Research Highlights How Abortion Ban in Georgia Forces Doctors to Delay Care for Patient
Survey data confirms abortion bans put doctors and patients at risk.
WASHINGTON D.C. – This week, new data from the latest survey released by U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff highlights the ramifications of the near-total abortion ban in Georgia citing confusion and delay of care for patients from their physicians across the state.
Senator Ossoff, with assistance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), released the new report finding that Georgia doctors are being forced to wait for women to develop life-threatening infections before terminating nonviable pregnancies due to the State of Georgia’s abortion ban.
In response to the release of the report, Veronica Ingham, Senior Campaigns Director for Free & Just released the following statement:
“These recent findings only reaffirm why uplifting the stories of women and patients impacted by abortion bans in this post Roe world is essential towards fighting against these anti-abortion attacks. Abortion bans are killing women and Republican politicians are more focused on pushing their extreme agenda than ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of their constituents. Free & Just commends Senator Ossoff for conducting this important survey and fighting for reproductive freedom in his state and nationwide.”
Key Findings
Georgia OBGYNs are being forced to send women home to await life-threatening infections before providing necessary care for nonviable pregnancies.
Georgia OBGYNs report that Georgia’s abortion ban prevented them from following best medical practice, specifically regarding treatment of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (“PPROM”) — a serious complication that occurs when a pregnant person’s water breaks before a fetus is viable, typically before 24 weeks.
Georgia’s abortion ban prevents OBGYNs from caring for their patients, including the fear and uncertainty created by the vague language in Georgia’s abortion law.
Additionally, new data from the Gender Equity Policy Institute shows that pregnant people living in states with abortion bans are almost twice as likely to die during pregnancy or soon after giving birth. The risk is greatest for Black women in states with bans, who are 3.3 times more likely to die than White women in those same states.
If you are interested in speaking with Free & Just storytellers based in Georgia, health care providers or patients about their experience living in a post Roe world, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us. If you are interested in learning more about the research gathered regarding state-level abortion bans and federal activity, please contact malachi@freeandjust.us.
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Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future