NEW ORLEANS — Discussions around reproductive rights are heating up across the country and right here in our state. Our Whitney Miller spoke to some doctors and community members who fear the laws in our state could push qualified doctors away.
In the heart of Central City sits 'Women with a Vision', an organization devoted to improving the lives of marginalized women and familes.
“That’s housing, that’s food access, its health access and education," said Deon Haywood, executive director for Women with a Vision.
At the helm is Haywood, a two-time cancer survivor who said she's concerned that qualified OBGYN's won't consider Louisiana because of the state's abortion ban and its recent legislation regarding so called abortion pills.
“My breast cancer was estrogen based so it was estrogen positive and guess who I had to see, an OBGYN oncologist, who are the young people to carry that and provide the type of care we need in the state," she said.
In May, the Association of American Medical Colleges released a study alleging states with abortion bans attract fewer residency applicants than states where abortion is less restricted.
“We would rather decide for people what they need vs. people work with their medical providers," Haywood said.
But the pro-life organization Louisiana Right to Life disagrees with the study, saying in a press release,
“Their published report lacks some of the credentials needed to draw a conclusion, such as credible, clear, insightful, and irrefutable evidence.”
Tuesday, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) defended the state's abortion laws.
“There is no law preventing a doctor from treating a patient going through a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy or from preventing the saving of the life of a mother," said Cassidy.
We reached out to Doctor Maurice Sholas, he is Board Chair for the National Medical Association and said the state's laws are causing worry.
Miller asked "What are some of the fears that these either future doctors or current doctors are facing or feeling?”
“You don’t want to feel like doing your job is going to put you in jail,” Sholas said. “If there is something in the back of your mind that leaves you wondering ‘oh my gosh this is going to land me in trouble. Or is this going to land me in hot water’ you are less likely to provide intervention for a person in distress than your medical training would dictate should happen and that leaves you in a hard place.”
Despite these fears Dr. Sholas said he is hoping for “common sense regulations that still allow doctors to provide the full range of care to the patients of Louisiana.”
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