Every single day I have a conversation with a patient in which I say, \u2018Abortion would be a really safe and valid option for you and I\u2019m so sorry that I can\u2019t do it here.\u2019\u201d This is what a Texas physician said, grappling with the implications of the Dobbs decision. In states like Texas, doctors are virtually powerless to determine when they may intervene in a pregnancy and not face liability. The physicians\u2019 fears are likely exacerbated by the fact that they face singular liability: \u201c[a]bortion bans include penalties only for people involved in facilitating illegal abortions,\u201d not the pregnant people themselves.\u00a0 They may feel required to tell patients\u2014with much strife\u2014that the patient\u2019s symptoms are not \u201camong the symptoms they are looking for\u201d to allow them to provide a medically necessary abortion. Indeed, a Colorado OB\/GYN lamented that she could not render necessary care \u201cbecause [the patients] are not dying yet.\u201d She further bemoaned, \u201cI cannot believe I have to say, you\u2019re not dying yet,\u201d making clear just how personal these decisions are for doctors and their patients alike.<\/p>\n
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