The Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade has, in many states, decimated access to abortion care and prevented abortion providers from treating patients. Dr. Leah Torres, Obstetrician/Gynecologist practicing in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, sits down to talk with us about the state of abortion access in Alabama and how the United States’ healthcare system layout is generally preventing access to quality care. 

Currently, there is no abortion access in Alabama. Prior to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the rate of people dying in pregnancy and childbirth in Alabama was twice the national average. Lack of abortion access will only make these extremely upsetting numbers worse. In addition, the United States’ current healthcare system is compounding these dangers for pregnant and birthing people in this country. From transgender healthcare to abortion to vaccination, the politicization of modern medicine comes from the select few embedded in our current healthcare system who have money and power to gain by exploiting the framework and those who seek care within it. Some states, such Alabama, continuously refuse to expand their Medicaid program blocking insurance coverage for those who need it most, while also limiting which providers and clinics can receive Title X funding.  

 Medical students continue to face barriers to training in abortion care. Many residency programs state the miscarriage management training is the same as abortion care training, which is not true. Fellowships, which offer training in certain areas, are often years-long. This means after medical school and residency, many who want to learn about abortion care feel the need to take on another two-year long fellowship in family planning.

A lack of sex education across the United States and the gatekeeping of comprehensive information about healthcare intensifies the inability to realize sexual and reproductive health care. When powerful institutions control the narrative about our health and bodies, often informed by “religious freedom,” this can lead to interpersonal relationship problems and mis- and dis-information. While this may seem big-picture, it has a very pin-pointed impact, leading to providers like Dr. Torres to treat individual patients who are coming in for treatment because of lack of access to education and basic care elsewhere. Many who seek care at Catholic hospitals (entities that don’t often make their religious affiliation clear), may not receive the reproductive healthcare they want or need because of religious directives.

 Links:

Dr. Leah Torres on Twitter
Past podcast episode on Title X
Past podcast episode on Catholic hospitals
Keep Our Clinics

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