Media Center: Press Release

New York—Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health (PRCH) issued the following statements on California's Proposition 73 being rejected by voters. Prop. 73 would have amended the state's constitution to require doctors to notify a young woman's parent of her intention to have an abortion, impose a mandatory 48-hour delay before the procedure and changed the legal definition of abortion. Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health (PRCH) mobilized doctors across the state to persuade people to vote against Prop. 73.

Statement from Dr. Robert Johnson, Vice Chair of Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health (who, in addition to that national leadership role, is a noted pediatrician in New Jersey):

“Since the day this initiative qualified for the ballot, we've known we could win if the discussion was about young women having access to safe medical care. When California voters engaged on this issue and thought more about it, they wanted healthcare to come before politics. The defeat of Prop. 73 has huge national significance because it's another indication that we're turning the tide in focusing debate about abortion on healthcare instead of political rhetoric. This is victory is being celebrated by women and their doctors in California and around the country today.”

Statement from Susan George, MD, a San Francisco doctor and member of PRCH:

“The defeat of Proposition 73 is a victory for parents, doctors and young women in California. This initiative would have jeopardized the health of young women and hampered the doctor-patient relationship that is so vital to good healthcare. As a physician, my priority is to provide the best possible care for my adolescent patients, and to ensure they go on to lead healthy lives. With today's vote, Californians have affirmed their commitment to public health and ensured that our youngest generation will have access to quality reproductive care. In blocking Prop. 73, Californians blocked intrusions into the doctor-patient relationship and blocked right-wing efforts to slowly chip away at women's fundamental reproductive rights.”

Statement from Susie Baldwin, MD, MPH, a Los Angeles doctor and PRCH Board Member:

“Doctors, parents and young women around the state are deeply relieved today. Proposition 73 was a dangerous initiative that would have jeopardized young women's health. Parental notification laws cause young women to delay seeking healthcare at the very time they most need medical attention. For doctors and parents, the top priority is making sure young women have access to safe medical care, and today's vote makes that possible. Californians voted their values in this election in favor of safe medical care and against bringing politics into every doctor's office in the state. As a result, doctors will be able to do their jobs, young women will be able to get good medical treatment and families of all kinds will be able to communicate based on their own circumstances.”

Statement from David Priver, MD, a San Diego physician and PRCH Member:

“This is a victory for parents and families, a victory for young women who need medical care, and a victory for doctors who need to be able to do our jobs free of political interference. The medical community was united against Prop. 73 because it jeopardized young women's health. We know that parental notification laws cause young women to delay seeking medical care when timing is critical. Today's results affirm the importance of access to safe medical care for women across the state. This is a solid defeat for the right-wing strategy of chipping away at access to abortion in a state and a country that is solidly pro-choice.”

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