The patient-physician relationship is at the heart of medical decision-making. A physician’s clinical knowledge and expertise combined with a patient’s unique needs, values, and priorities are critical to identifying the treatment and care plan best suited to each individual patient.

In states with laws banning or restricting abortion, this foundational relationship is disrupted, and physicians may face criminal, civil, or administrative action for providing evidence-based medical care consistent with their clinical training and medical standards.

When physicians are prevented from delivering the medical care they believe is clinically and ethically appropriate, they can experience profound moral injury – distress resulting from the inability to do what they know is right for their patients. This distress can affect mental health and wellbeing and lead to loss of professional fulfillment.

The AMA recognizes the profound toll that moral injury can take and is committed to protecting physician wellbeing and the sanctity of the patient-physician relationship.