Chicago, Illinois - High Court Protects Patients from Unjustified Government Intrusion in Medicine - Statement attributable to:  Andrew W. Gurman, M.D., President, American Medical Association:

"The American Medical Association applauds the decision in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt striking down unsupported and unnecessary government regulation of medicine that impedes, rather than serves, public health objectives. The Court found no evidence of a legitimate threat to patient health that could justify a Texas law interfering with clinical judgment and obstructing women's access to abortion services.

"The AMA joined the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, along with several other national specialty medical societies, in an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of protecting the patient-physician relationship from unjustifiable government intrusion that compromises access to safe clinical care. The AMA opposes interference in the clinical examination room and calls on policymakers to leave determination of what constitutes medically necessary treatment where it belongs - in the hands of physicians and patients."