During a pandemic, when health care is paramount and physicians have been called heroes, the Pennsylvania Medical Society asks lawmakers and bureaucrats to stay out of the exam room. Physicians train for years to be able to provide clinically sound and proven care to their patients. Medical decisions should be between the patient and their health care team
A Statement from the Pennsylvania Medical Society:
The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) staunchly supports the sacred relationship between a patient and their physician. The foundation of medical practice is the ability of a patient and physician to speak openly and confidentially about treatment strategies. The freedom to do so affords patients the opportunity to discuss, and act upon, whatever evidence-based treatment, services, or procedures they feel is in their best medical interest, including issues involving reproductive health.
PAMED has considerable concern regarding the unintended consequences that could result in light of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. These consequences will directly impact not only pregnant women but also all women of childbearing age seeking medical care for other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.
Appropriate, effective, and frequently used treatments for these and other common conditions could become limited because of their potential risk of impacting an unknown pregnancy. PAMED is alarmed by the harm caused by the potential restriction of medicines used to treat these and other conditions, as well as the potential criminalization of physicians who prescribe them.
Physicians, working hand-in-hand with their patients, should never be prosecuted for initiating evidence-based treatments their patients need. PAMED firmly believes that patients have the right to safe and effective treatments for diseases and conditions that impact their health.