The Indiana General Assembly continues its special session this week on a proposed abortion ban with some exceptions that many believe will pass.
That has some medical professionals concerned about how that will affect their patients. Dr. Caroline Rouse, maternal-fetal medicine specialist and an assistant professor of OBGYN at Indiana University, says medical students and faculty could be negatively affected if an abortion ban is put in place.
“I’m very concerned, everything about this bill is concerning, but specifically as it relates to attraction, training, and retention of medical students, residents, fellows, and young faculty,” Rouse said. “This bill is going to compromise that for our state.”
Dr. Katie McHugh, an OB/GYN and abortion provider in Indiana, says while she wants to be a Hoosier for life, threats of an abortion ban have caused her to pursue medical licensure in other states.
READ MORE: Senate debates changes to abortion ban for five hours, keeps rape and incest exceptions
Medical professionals are also concerned about the safety and well-being of their patients. Some patients anticipating an abortion ban have begun to look elsewhere.
Dr. Tracey Wilkinson, an assistant professor of pediatrics at IU, says she’s outraged by what an abortion ban will take away from her patients.
“All of us that practice medicine should be incredibly enraged that they’re taking this decision, not from us, but from our patients,” Wilkinson said.
A Senate vote on the abortion ban and inflation relief is scheduled for Saturday morning.
