CSA - Statement on Supreme Court Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health

Statement on Supreme Court Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health

The following statement was approved by the Council of the Central Surgical Association concerning the United States Supreme Court decision in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health issued on Friday, June 24, 2022.

We recognize that our country is divided on the issue of abortion and we respect the views of individuals on both sides of this issue. However, the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health will restrict access to safe reproductive healthcare services and criminalize medical care that physicians provide to patients. We support basic principles of medical care including:

Patients must be in control of medical decisions affecting their health without governmental interference.
Surgeons and physicians of all specialties must be free to practice medicine based on experience, medical knowledge, and scientific evidence without fear of criminal prosecution or persecution.
Access to timely medical services is essential for safe, high-quality healthcare for all; restrictions to healthcare often have a greater impact on the underserved and marginalized populations.

We encourage our members and our patients to advocate to protect access to healthcare services, to maintain the patient-doctor relationship without fear of criminal action, and to empower patients to be free to make informed decisions concerning their own healthcare and the care of their families without governmental interference.