government
Doctors must tell abortion seekers about suicide risks, court rules
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 6, 2012
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a South Dakota law requiring physicians to tell women seeking abortions that the procedure causes an increased risk of suicide.
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota sued the state over the law after it took effect in 2005. The plaintiffs said no sound scientific evidence has existed showing a link between abortion and suicide. A district court ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood.
But in its July 24 opinion, the appeals court said the law’s provisions were neither an undue burden on abortion rights nor a violation of physicians’ free speech. The state is “merely using its regulatory authority to require a doctor to provide truthful, nonmisleading information relevant to a patient’s decision to have an abortion,” the court said in the ruling (link).
Planned Parenthood expressed disappointment at the decision, saying in a statement that it allows significant government intrusion into doctor-patient relationships. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said the decision supports the Legislature’s goal of encouraging women seeking abortions to make informed and voluntary decisions.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/08/06/gvbf0806.htm.
