Save Our Mothers’ Lives. Support TN HB883/ SB745 

As early as this week, legislators will be voting on HB883/SB745, frequently referred to as the “Life of the Mother” bill. This bill is an important first step in protecting the lives of patients with pregnancy complications, and we urgently ask that you contact your legislators. Please contact legislators to support TN HB883/SB745 and help save mothers’ lives.

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In Tennessee, performing an abortion is criminal without exception. Even if a pregnancy is terminated to save a mother’s life, the Human Life Protection Act views that physician’s life-saving care as criminal behavior. As a result of these extreme laws, Tennessee mothers and families are suffering from preventable pregnancy complications. These patients suffer from unnecessary delays in care, infections, hemorrhages, and ICU hospitalizations. It’s only a matter of time before a patient dies as a result of these inhumane laws. 

 

Along with bill sponsors nurse Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes (R-East Ridge) and retired surgeon Sen. Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville), Tennessee physicians are fighting for House Bill 883/Senate Bill 745 as passed by the House Population Health Subcommittee on February 14th, 2023. 

 

TELL LEGISLATORS TO FIGHT FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE PATIENTS AND FAMILIES THEY ARE ELECTED TO SERVE BY VOTING YES ON HB883/SB745

 

This bill allows doctors to use good-faith medical judgment to provide compassionate, ethical medical care to pregnant patients by creating necessary medical exemptions to prevent and treat pregnancy complications. 

 

Unfortunately, some strong, well-funded special interest groups do not respect the patient-physician relationship nor do they understand the suffering doctors see as a result of this abortion “trigger” ban. These lobbyists and special interest groups are attempting to reduce further the bare-minimum standards provided by HB883/SB745.

 

These extreme, non-medical groups would prefer mothers teeter on the brink of severe illness before physicians are allowed to intervene. Not only is this unethical, but it is potentially dangerous to our mothers, to a point where they may lose their ability to carry future children or lose their lives! We insist the bills must pass with the strongest protections for patients and physicians. 

 

Background:

Here are studies conducted in Texas in the era of its severe abortion restrictions that indicate when doctors act early in preventing problems encountered in pregnancy, maternal and fetal outcomes are better. AJOG Research Letter  

From the conclusion:  Because of the intense politicization of these issues nationally, some have questioned, “What does the threat of death have to be?” and “How imminent must it be?” From this research, we learned it is important to intervene early to improve outcomes for mothers and babies.

Finally, one of the most extensive studies of the effects of abortion restrictions - The Turnaway Study - indicates that as abortion restrictions are put into place it has a negative impact on the health of women and children. This study is on-going. See these links:

https://www.ansirh.org

Findings From The Turnaway Study

Introduction To The Turnaway Study

Please sign this petition in support of HB 883/SB 745 and Tennesee Physicians, Patients, and Families. 

Sincerely,

Heather Maune, MD, FACOG
Obstetrician & Gynecologist
Nashville, TN