Origin’s Post

When doctors don’t feel safe, patients are not safe either. Healthcare providers are particularly selfless and empathetic. So when the fear of legal retribution makes them pause before helping patients, or avoid practicing in that state all together, we should all be worried. Take Texas. The laws have created a perfect storm of uncertainty and fear. 1) According to 60 Minutes, “Last year, the number of OB-GYN resident applicants in Texas dropped 16%.” The brain drain will create even worse healthcare deserts. 2) In the near term, doctors have to worry about prison time when considering life-saving interventions for pregnant women. ProPublica explains, “Texas’s abortion ban threatens prison time for interventions that end a fetal heartbeat, whether the pregnancy is wanted or not. It includes exceptions for life-threatening conditions, but still, doctors told ProPublica that confusion and fear about the potential legal repercussions are changing the way their colleagues treat pregnant patients with complications.” This isn't just theory. We saw this last week with the devastating death of Nevaeh Crain, a 20 year old pregnant woman who died of sepsis despite seeking care from the ER three times. Doctors - and their patients - deserve better. And while you may think I'm screaming into the void given the current political landscape, I have to keep hoping (and acting) as if we can break through. https://lnkd.in/gn9cDXtW https://lnkd.in/gVA5mA5s