Dangerous Dobbs Demagogy

I was saddened but not surprised to read in John McCormack’s piece “Health Scare” (August 15) about the post-Dobbs confusion surrounding care for pregnant women with life-threatening complications, including ectopic pregnancies. I would add that media outlets and progressives who willfully and falsely raise doubts about the legality of providing care to pregnant women with life-threatening conditions endanger the pregnant women they claim to want to protect. The cases described in a pre-proof article from the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology could easily constitute a “near miss,” which the Department of Health and Human Services defines as an act of commission or omission that could have resulted in patient harm. A near miss differs from an adverse event only in outcome and is taken seriously because of the high risk of patient harm. While journalists and progressives are certainly free to express their views on policy issues, they should proceed with serious caution when their political posturing risks patient safety.

In the face of this misinformation, we as physicians should use our medical training to do what is right for our patients, including pregnant women. We also should speak out against those who endanger the lives of patients regardless of whom we support on Election Day. Our professional organizations should do the same.

Jonathan R. Crowe, M.D. Boston