7/29/2019 PRCH Testimony: New York City Council Reproductive Health Resolution

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Testimony of Anne R. Davis, MD, MPH

Consulting Medical Director

Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health

Before the New York City Council

January 18, 2013

Good morning. My name is Dr. Anne Davis. I live in Washington Heights andpractice medicine at Columbia University Medical Center. I am also theconsulting medical director for Physicians for Reproductive Choice andHealth (PRCH), a national physician-led advocacy organization based in NewYork City. PRCH uses evidence-based medicine to promote soundreproductive health policies. We believe in reproductive choice for everyone.Icome before you to speak in favor of Proposed Resolution No. 1635-A, whichcommemorates the 40th anniversary ofRoe v. Wade and calls upon theUnited States Congress to support funding for comprehensive reproductivehealth care.

As an abortion provider, I am grateful forRoe v. Wade every day. Myexperience of abortion is very up close, very real. I want to share a story thatillustrates why we need safe and legal abortion without governmentinterference. One morning I was paged at 7am. A woman pregnant at 22weeks (5 and 1/2 months) had been admitted the night before with apreviously uncomplicated, desired pregnancy. She had some bleeding, andshe was being observed overnight. Suddenly, she experienced sharp pain in

her abdomen and very heavy bleeding. When I was called, she had lost morethan a quart of blood in about 30 minutes, enough that if it continued her lifewould be in danger. She had something called placental abruption, where theplacenta unexpectedly separates from the uterus.

I needed to get to the hospital as soon as possible and provide a secondtrimester abortion, the only treatment that would stop the bleeding and keepthe patient safe. I took a cab and arrived within 10 minutes. The patient waspale, in pain, scared and bleeding. I told her we only had one option, to endthe pregnancy. The procedure was successful, she recovered, she left thehospital alive and without needing an emergency hysterectomy, so she was

able to have children in the future.

Roe has allowed abortion to become safe, allowed me to save that patientslife. It moved the procedure out of hiding into mainstream medicine wherephysicians could develop techniques, standards, research, and improvepatient care. We still have a long way to go in the United States. Abortion isand always will be medically necessary, yet many of our legislatures andcourts give equal time and weight to those who say that is not so, never mind

7/29/2019 PRCH Testimony: New York City Council Reproductive Health Resolution

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the patient I described, and the daily experiences in hospitals like mine around thecountry.

In New York, we are fortunate not to have politicians interfering in the decision-making ofwomen and their doctors. We do not have arbitrary waiting periods, invasive ultrasound

requirements, or mandated biased counseling with false information about abortion. Weare also fortunate that Medicaid covers abortion for women in New York State. Many otherstates deny comprehensive coverage of abortion as does the federal government.

I see women every day who rely on Medicaid for their health care. Many of them alreadyhave children, have low-paying jobs, and are struggling to get by. They know that theycannot have another child at this time and know that abortion is the right decision forthem and their families. All women deserve health insurance that covers their health careneeds and these women, because they live in New York, are able to get their abortionswithout delay. This should be our standard for women across the country. I worry aboutwhat happens to low-income women in other states who do not have insurance coveragefor abortion. Unfortunately, the Affordable Care Act, which does so much to advanceaccess to comprehensive health care for women, excluded abortion.

I urge the New York City Council to adopt Proposed Resolution No. 1635-A, which alsourges the United States Congress to support funding for comprehensive reproductivehealth care so that allwomen can lead full healthy lives and participate equally in society,regardless of their socio-economic level.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today.