Advocacy for Reproductive Health: STFM

SHARON PHILLIPS, MD MPH; DANA SCHONBERG, MD; LIN WANG, MD; MARJI GOLD, MD

ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, BRONX NY

Advocacy for reproductive health: Successes and

challenges

Introductions

Why this topic?

Session Objectives

At the end of this session, participants will be able to: Describe the current political and

educational climate regarding reproductive health services

List past successes by physicians in reproductive health advocacy

Define ways to involve residents and students in advocacy

Format

Brief review of recent legislative issues and examples of physician advocacy (10 minutes)

Small groups – reflect on personal experiences with advocacy and involvement of residents/students (15 minutes)

Report back (15 minutes)

Reproductive health under attack

In first 3 months of 2012, 944 provisions have been introduced in state legislatures related to reproductive health and rights

75 approved by at least 1 chamber9 enacted

Guttmacher Institute

Focus on abortion

Ultrasound requirements (AK, AL, ID, IA, KY, MI, MN, MS, PA, RI, VA)

Medication abortion limitations (AL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MS, MO, OK, TN, WI)

Gestational age limits (FL, GA, IA, LA, MI, MN, MS, NH, VA, WV)

Guttmacher Institute

April 20, 2012

Contraceptive coverage

Coverage of contraceptives soon to be mandated for most insurance plans (due to ACA)

State legislators moving to expand existing exemptions, or create new exemptions, for some employers (AZ, GA, NH, NJ, NY)

What role can physicians play?

Offering our perspective

Dr Willie Parker, Conscience, Vol 31, No 1, 2012

Sharing our experiences

Dr Andrea Angelucci, USA Today,March 11, 2012

Participating in public events

Dr. Sarah Miller at Planned Parenthood lobby day, February 2011

(photo courtesy of PRCH)

Lobbying legislators

PRCH and AMWA members on lobby day for Title X at Capitol Hill, March 2011

(photo courtesy of PRCH)

Small group exercise

What challenges exist in your community for your patients to access reproductive health care?

What steps can you take to advocate for change?

How can you involve students and residents in advocacy?

Thank you!

Resources:Guttmacher Institute (guttmacher.org)Center for Reproductive Rights

(reproductiverights.org)Physicians for Reproductive Choice & Health

(prch.org)

Contact info: sharonphillipsmd@gmail.com