Physicians must be able to practice medicine that is informed by their medical education, training, experience, and available evidence, freely and without threat of punishment, harassment, or retribution. Patients must be able to depend on family physicians to help make critical decisions about personal health, including reproductive health. The Academy advocates for policies that preserve the confidential patient-physician relationship and advance health equity. We oppose any criminalization of medical care and any limit to health care access.
AAFP Responses to Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down the longstanding protections afforded by Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey undermines the patient-physician relationship, criminalizes medical care, and will limit access to health care for patients across the United States. The Academy recognizes that this precedent allows states to pass laws criminalizing the delivery of evidence-based medical care. Stay up to date with the Academy's advocacy efforts on reproductive care, as well as state activity and recent federal guidance below.