California Medical Association (CMA) President Peter N. Bretan, Jr., M.D., issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal to stay the Texas abortion law:

"The Supreme Court set a dangerous precedent by allowing SB8 to go into effect in Texas without any Constitutional review. The law is a gross legislative overreach and subjugates the patient-physician relationship to the whims of partisan politics. The law is dangerous, not only because it bans virtually all abortions in the state and legislates the practice of medicine, but because it also puts  physicians in harm’s way simply for providing medical care to their patients. 

This new law is a direct attack on the practice of medicine and patient reproductive health outcomes. Clearly, this is no longer a decision we can leave up to the courts. We support Congressional action – the passage of California Congresswoman Judy Chu’s “Women’s Health Protection Act” –  to ensure women get the reproductive health care they need, and that physicians and other health care providers can offer that care without fear of their personal safety or well-being.”