Midwives College of Utah supports the right of all individuals to access the full spectrum of reproductive health services. As stated in the Joint Statement from Maternal Health Specialists on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, “Communities for whom structural inequities already exist will be further harmed by restricted access to abortion care as the gap in access to necessary health care widens. The restrictions that will fall into place as a result of this decision will radically diminish the pool of health care professionals who are trained in providing abortion care, including lifesaving interventions and care for high-risk and complex pregnancies.”
Though it is not within the scope of the CPM to provide abortions, MCU will continue to teach and assess the following competencies as outlined in the MEAC accreditation standards:
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policies, pros, and regulations related to therapeutic abortion (TAB) care
services
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all currently available methods of therapeutic abortion (TAB) and their medical eligibility criteria
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pharmacotherapeutic basics of drugs recommended for use in medical abortion
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principles of uterine evacuation via manual vacuum aspiration (MVA)
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[the skills to] inform [people] who are considering therapeutic abortion about available services for those keeping the pregnancy and for those proceeding with abortion, methods for obtaining a therapeutic abortion, and to support [people] in their choice
MCU has joined the International Confederation of Midwives and other global healthcare organizations in calling on all governments to defend access to safe and quality abortion care. Regardless of our individual values on abortion, the disturbing fact is that limiting access to abortion healthcare will increase morbidity rates and mortality rates among pregnant people.
In standing with MCU’s long tradition of healthcare advocacy, we encourage you to consider taking action. Find out how the recent ruling affects your state laws and consider some of these suggested actions.