Referred to the Board of Trustees for Action 2017-25
RESOLUTION
Subject : Submitted by : Referred to :
Neutral Policy Language on Abortion Greater Louisville Medical Society Reference Committee
WHEREAS , Kentucky providers who do not wish to participate directly or indirectly in an abortion procedure are not required to do so ; and are protected from discrimination in that decision ; and
WHEREAS , pre- and post-abortion counseling are state-mandated and must include : alternatives to abortion , an in-person or a real-time visual telehealth meeting with the physician at least 24 hours prior to the procedure , and informed consent from the patient ; and
WHEREAS , the standards of the medical profession ensure that health care practitioners provide patients with accurate and unbiased information regarding the risks and benefits of their various treatment options ; and
WHEREAS , the issue of support of or opposition to abortion is a matter for members of the Kentucky Medical Association ( KMA ) to decide individually , based on personal values or beliefs . This should not influence the care they provide to patients or their role in providing accurate and unbiased information to their patients ; and
WHEREAS , KMA already has in place a policy “ to encourage physicians to strive to constantly improve their care of patients by the means they find most effective , within the standards of accepted and prevailing medical practices ,” making specific facility recommendations for termination of pregnancy - but not other outpatient surgeries - unnecessary and overly specific ; now , therefore , be it
RESOLVED , that the Kentucky Medical Association rescind the policies found under the heading “ Pregnancy , Termination of ,” within its Policy Manual and replace them with the following : “ The Kentucky Medical Association ( KMA ) supports the right of physicians to practice medicine in a manner consistent with their conscience and the best interest of their patients . KMA opposes any policy that would compel a physician to practice in a way they believed to be unethical , or perform a service they believed to be immoral . KMA further opposes any policy , law or regulation that seeks to impede patient access to safe , appropriate , and legal medical care .”
KMA House of Delegates August 2017