Despite Ethics Ruling, OB-GYNs Not Bound to Refer Abortion Services

Apr 11, 2008 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) Some Utah doctors are at odds with a recent ethics ruling by a leading medical association, stating doctors opposed to abortion have a duty to refer patients to a willing practitioner. But Utah Medical Association President Dr. Michael Bair says the ethics ruling does not legally bind doctors to do so.

"It's a matter of choice for physicians," Bear says. "Physicians have the ability to choose whom they will serve and how they will serve, except in emergency conditions. Aside from that, everything else is an individual, personal decision."

This means some Utah physicians will perform non-emergency abortions and inform patients of all their options. But some won't. Planned Parenthood of Utah Assistant Medical Director Kathy Burke says the situation underscores the importance of screening your physician before making an appointment.

"I think as a health-care consumer you have to be ready to ask those questions," Burke says. "So if, for example, like me, you are a person who is concerned about choice, when you choose an OB-GYN, on your first visit you say, what are your thoughts about a woman's right to choose an abortion, if they would like to. Don't wait until you are in that position. "

In fact, Burke says answers about a physician's position on abortion, contraception, sterilization and fertility treatments can often be provided by the office staff on the initial phone call.

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