South Sacramento Today

WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), and Mark Pocan (D-WI) on June15 introduced the Reproductive Health Care Training Act, legislation aimed at ensuring the next generation of health care providers receive training and education in reproductive care, regardless of where they reside or practice.

In the year since the Dobbs vs. Jackson decision, medical education has faced significant challenges, with institutions struggling to provide adequate training in reproductive health care to their residents and students. As educational institutions in states with abortion bans, like Wisconsin, are faced with sending students out of state for training, institutions in states where abortion is legal, like Washington, struggle to meet the increased demand for abortion care training.

“The Dobbs decision has had a devastating impact on reproductive health care,” said Representative Ami Bera, M.D., former Chief Medical Officer for Sacramento County. “Instead of being able to provide the highest quality medical care to their patients, physicians are being forced to flee from states that have restrictive abortion bans. This not only results in health care gaps in those regions, but also places an undue burden on states that protect abortion rights. The Reproductive Health Care Training Act is a crucial step towards addressing the medical education voids caused by restrictive abortion laws. By establishing a program that supports and expands education in abortion care, regardless of where students and providers reside, we can empower the next generation of health care professionals to fulfill their duty to serve their patients and uphold reproductive rights.”

"Medical students need access to a complete education, and that includes comprehensive abortion training,” said Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. “The Reproductive Health Care Training Act will expand abortion care education allowing for the next generation of doctors to ensure they get the education they need, regardless of where they train. As one of only two pro-choice woman doctors in Congress, I will continue to do everything I can to protect women’s access to safe abortion, and physicians' ability to provide a full spectrum of care."

“Restrictions on access to abortion in Texas and states like it that have eliminated abortion care place burdens on medical students and residents, who cannot receive proper training to provide the full range of reproductive health care, as well as on their patients,” said Representative Lizzie Fletcher.  “It is critical that as we work to restore and protect abortion access, we also work to educate the next generation of health care providers on the full range of reproductive health care, including abortion care.  For both students and educational institutions, success depends on proper and full education.  I am glad to join Congressman Bera, Congresswoman Schrier, and Congressman Pocan to ensure medical students and residents have access to training in reproductive health care.”

“In states like Wisconsin with an abortion ban as a result of the Dobbs decision, not only can patients not get abortion care, medical students are prevented from learning the skills they need,” said Representative Mark Pocan. “The Reproductive Health Care Training Act is crucial legislation that ensures medical students gain all necessary clinical skills no matter where they train. Abortion is healthcare. Student doctors in every state should be able to learn to provide patients the care that is their right.”

The Reproductive Health Care Training Act establishes a program which would provide grants or contracts to eligible medical programs, allowing them to expand and support education for students, residents, and advanced practice clinicians in states that allow comprehensive training in abortion care. It will also prepare and encourage these individuals to serve as abortion providers after completing their training.

The Reproductive Health Care Training Act is supported by Physicians for Reproductive Health, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, UW-Health, the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, Power to Decide, and Planned Parenthood.

“Physicians for Reproductive Health is proud to support the Reproductive Health Care Training Act of 2023. Comprehensive training in sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion care, for physicians and advanced practice clinicians providing reproductive health care is essential,” said Dr. Jamila Perritt, President & CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health. “As states continue to ban and heavily restrict abortion access we are deeply concerned that future providers will not have the skills necessary to provide patients the care they need. We are grateful to see our champions take on this timely and important issue.”

“Abortion is essential health care, and, like access to abortion care itself, access to comprehensive education and training in abortion care is vitally important. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) strongly supports the introduction of the Reproductive Health Care Training Act of 2023, which will allow medical schools, residency programs, and other institutions to support and expand critical abortion care training for students, residents, physicians in practice, and advanced practice clinicians,” said AnnaMarie Connolly, MD, FACOG, Chief of Education and Academic Affairs at American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “This legislation will allow future generations of physicians and practitioners to meet patient needs, providing a much-needed increase in access to care—especially in areas where the need for clinical care may increase tremendously as more patients present from out of state in search of such care.”

Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

In March 2023, Rep. Bera led a press event alongside fellow physicians in Congress and OB-GYNs to denounce political interference in the exam room, highlighting the importance of protecting the provider-patient relationship.

Original source can be found here