Statement

Dear San Diego Family Medicine Physicians,

Your San Diego Academy of Family Physicians stands with multiple medical organizations (including AMA, ACOG, AAFP) in denouncing the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn half a century of precedent protecting the right to privacy for a person with a uterus including for abortion care by striking down Roe v Wade. The decision by SCOTUS is an egregious attack on people with a uterus, the patient-physician relationship, and a violation of patients' rights to evidence-based reproductive health services. Access to abortion will be limited to those with sufficient resources and financial means to do so, which will exacerbate existing health disparities by placing the burden on Black, Latinix, Indigenous, low-income, rural, and other historically disadvantaged groups. This decision endangers the lives of many of our patients across the country.

We will continue to advocate for our patients to have access to reproductive health care services and be able to make decisions about their own care in consultation with their physician or medical team. We will support access to comprehensive education to allow this and the next generation of physicians to provide evidence-based reproductive health services to all patients. Of note, the CAFP is anticipating an increase in demand for abortion services from people in other states, and are offering a webinar on July 19 for family physicians to learn more about managing medication abortions.

As your San Diego Academy of Family Physicians, we oppose any law or regulation that compromises or criminalizes patient access to safe, evidence-based medical care, including abortion. Termination of a pregnancy is a medical matter between the patient and physician, subject to the physician's clinical judgement and the patient's informed consent.

We stand AGAINST this far-reaching and disturbing decision by SCOTUS and stand WITH medical professionals in advocating to protect the rights of our patients.

In solidarity,

Melissa Campos, M.D.
SDAFP President

Please click here for SDAFP's statement on gun violence: a public health crisis