Talking About Abortion: Core Messages
Core messages for ob-gyn advocates and partners.
ACOG has developed effective messages about the dangers of legislative interference, the impact of abortion restrictions on the patient-physician relationship, and the role of abortion in comprehensive medical care. This messaging matrix can help ob-gyn advocates and our partners have meaningful conversations about the importance of preserving the fundamental patient-physician relationship and protecting access to evidence-based abortion care.
Download the Full Messaging Matrix
Core Messages
| Message | Purpose |
|---|---|
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Abortion is a component of comprehensive medical care. |
Access to the full spectrum of maternal, sexual and reproductive health care options, including abortion, is important for people’s health, safety and wellbeing. Similar to birth control, prenatal check-ups, Pap smears and STI testing, abortion is one of many forms of care that doctors provide for people of reproductive age. |
|
People need unimpeded access to all medical care. |
Systemic inequities in the health care system and society mean that Black communities, other communities of color, and people with low incomes struggle to access comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion. Being unable to obtain an abortion has major effects on people’s lives, health and wellbeing, and when access to reproductive health care is restricted, these communities experience those effects most profoundly. All people should be able to access the health care they need, which includes abortion, and obstetrician-gynecologists must be able to offer care without restrictions that further widen the health care gap and disparities in health outcomes. |
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While people may have differing views about abortion, those views must not interfere with the relationship between people and their doctors. |
People should be able to access the health care they need without medically unnecessary barriers or restrictions, and doctors should be able to offer that care without interference or fear of being criminalized or otherwise punished. |
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Physicians must be able to provide medical care to people without outside interference. |
Physicians are trained to provide a complete range of evidence-based reproductive health care services, including abortion. Criminalizing doctors for doing their jobs also harms people who need access to this care. |
|
Abortion is safe. |
Abortion is a safe medical procedure. Restrictions that delay people’s ability to get an abortion can increase the risks and, in some cases, make it inaccessible altogether. People should be able to access comprehensive reproductive health care without medically unnecessary barriers. |