OHSU’s position is steadfast: Abortion is health care
OHSU is a public organization guided by a mission firmly rooted in health, science and a commitment to the well-being of all people. OHSU will continue to educate the next generation of reproductive health care professionals in abortion care; conduct breakthrough research to improve abortion services; and, provide abortion care to all who seek it.
Right now, across the country, far too many people lack equitable access to care, including abortion services. A person’s ability to make decisions about their own health and well-being should not be limited by resources, bias, prejudice or the absence of care. Any action that would restrict the right of any individual to make their own health care decisions will likely perpetuate multi-generational cycles of health inequity, economic hardship and adverse health outcomes.
If Roe v. Wade and the federal protection of abortion rights it guarantees is overturned, as the recent leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion suggests, more than 20 states would immediately enact partial to full restrictions on abortion care. We know that restricting access does not eliminate abortion – it only makes it unsafe and increases disparities in access. As the only state in the nation with no restrictions on abortion, we expect Oregon will become a “sanctuary state” for people seeking safe care. In fact, the Guttmacher Institute estimates a 234% increase in the number of out-of-state people who would seek abortion services in Oregon.
As a national leader in providing complex reproductive services to Oregonians and those from other states, OHSU is incredibly proud of the dedicated clinicians, researchers and learners who work tirelessly every day to advance access to care for all people. We will continue to do everything we can to provide and advocate for equitable access to comprehensive reproductive services, including abortion for all people, regardless of who they are or where they live.