May 19, 1997 American Medical Association
The Honorable Rick Santorum
United States Senate
120 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510Dear Senator Santorum:
The American Medical Association (AMA) is writing to support HR 1122, "The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 1997," as amended. Although our general policy is to oppose legislation criminalizing medical practice or procedure, the AMA has supported such legislation where the procedure was narrowly defined and not medically indicated. HR 1122 now meets both those tests.
Our support of this legislation is based on three specific principles. First, the bill would allow a legitimate exception where the life of the mother was endangered, thereby preserving the physician's judgment to take any medically necessary steps to save the life of the mother. Second, the bill would clearly define the prohibited procedure so that it is clear on the face of the legislation what act is to be banned. Finally, the bill would give any accused physician the right to have his or her conduct reviewed by the State Medical Board before a criminal trial commenced. In this manner, the bill would provide a formal role for valuable medical peer determination in any enforcement proceeding.
The AMA believes that with these changes, physicians will be on notice as to the exact nature of the prohibited conduct.
Thank you for the opportunity to work with you towards restricting a procedure we all agree is not good medicine.
Sincerely,
P. John Seward, MD
Executive Vice President
American Medical Association
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