Statement by CMS President Mark B. Johnson, MD, MPH
The Colorado Medical Society joins many other organizations representing physicians in expressing deep concern about the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson on Friday, June 24 that overturned Roe v. Wade. The ruling removes protections that have prevented inappropriate government intrusion into the practice of medicine and the sanctity of the patient-physician relationship.
CMS has long-standing policy on abortion that supports health education and the distribution of safe, effective methods of family planning. The termination of pregnancy is a recognized medical procedure wrapped in moral and ethical implications, and we are steadfast in the conviction that these and other medical care decisions rightly belong within a safe, trusted patient-physician relationship. This ruling runs afoul of these bedrock beliefs and CMS opposes any intrusion in the practice of medicine or inference by the government into the patient-physician relationship.
While Colorado law protects an individual’s right to an abortion, it continues to be critical that we support Coloradans’ right to access needed medical care, support physicians’ ability to practice medicine, respect medical decision-making that occurs in the context of the patient-physician relationship, and support individuals and families in order to promote the health, wellbeing, and autonomy of all Coloradans.
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