Atlantic’s Response to Dobbs Decision

[8:38 AM, 6/27/2022]

We understand that the Supreme Court’s Dobbs Decision to remove the constitutional protection for abortion, overturning Roe v. Wade & allowing each state to regulate access to abortion creates a scary and confusing time. We wish we had all the answers to your questions. However, much is still evolving. What we know: -IVF & fertility treatment is still legal. – Statements from Governor Cooper & NC Attorney General Stein confirm that abortion access is still legal in North Carolina -Decisions to ban access will rest in the hands of state lawmakers. -Legislation granting legal “personhood” status to embryos has not yet passed. Personhood measures would restrict an infertile patient’s right to decide on their fertility treatment. Therefore, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) opposes any measures granting “personhood” status to fertilized reproductive tissues.

Here is a link to ASRM’s position statement on personhood measures: https://www.asrm.org/about-us/media-and-public-affairs/public-affairs/asrm-position-statement-on-personhood-measures/

Atlantic Reproductive joins with ASRM, the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) & other organizations representing healthcare professionals specializing in providing maternal care to denounce the Dobbs Decision. We believe that patients and their clinicians should make decisions about reproductive healthcare. The link to the Joint Statement from Maternal Health Specialists on the Dobbs Decision: https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.smfm.org/media/3583/Joint_Maternal_Health_Statement_in_Dobbs.pdf

The link to the statement from ASRM President Cedars in reaction to the Dobbs Decision: https://www.asrm.org/news-and-publications/news-and-research/announcements/the-dobbs-decision-a-statement-from-asrm/

From ASRM President Cedars’ statement: “To our members and their patients, I would say this: this decision is the beginning, not the end, of a struggle to protect reproductive autonomy. We will fight this battle in every state capital and in the halls of Congress. We will not rest until every physician can provide every one of their patients with the individualized care they need and deserve, even in the face of a powerful minority seeking to impose their own religious or political views. But make no mistake about it; we will need each and every one of you to be fully engaged in the battles ahead. Now is not the time to be a spectator and think someone else will fight this fight. Now is not the time to think, “my state won’t restrict my ability to help my patients,” and “there is nothing I can do.” Now is the time to join in our efforts to ensure every patient who needs reproductive care throughout the reproductive health continuum has access to build the family they want.”Tonight (6/27/22), I will be attending the ASRM Townhall to discuss Dobb’s decision & learn what clinicians can do to engage with ASRM to advocate for reproductive care. If you wish to stay informed, please visit asrm.org.

Warm regards,

Dr. Susannah Copland