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North Carolinians Deserve Health Care Autonomy, Not Empty Promises
A perspective from Matthew Zerden
In North Carolina, the abortion ban that was passed last year represents just the beginning of a concerted effort to strip away reproductive rights under the guise of providing “balance.” This ban was pushed through with the crucial vote of State Representative Tricia Cotham, who conveniently switched parties just before this vote. What happened in our state reflects the troubling influence of former President Donald Trump, whose Supreme Court appointees and political rhetoric paved the way for state abortion bans.
At a recent Wilmington rally, Donald Trump claimed that if he’s reelected, his presidency will lead to a future where “women will be happy, healthy, confident, and free.” But as a physician, I see this for what it is–an attempt to obscure the very real harm his policies impose on patient health and autonomy.
These restrictions, which he encourages, have already taken a toll on patients across the South.
Despite 63% of Americans supporting legal abortion in all or most cases, Trump’s vision for the country blatantly disregards the average American’s concerns. And for doctors like me, it flies in the face of sound medicine.
North Carolina’s current abortion ban reduced the time allowed for an abortion to just 12 weeks, and it requires both an in-person counseling appointment at least 72 hours prior to the abortion procedure. These restrictions add financial and logistical hurdles that many cannot afford.
Donald Trump additionally told Wilmington rally attendees that he would “protect women at a level never seen before,” and promised them safety. Yet, the very policies he’s supported are limiting safe health care options for patients in our state. After all, it was his Supreme Court appointments that led to the reversal of Roe v. Wade, making North Carolina’s abortion ban possible–something he has proudly taken credit for.
North Carolina’s abortion restrictions are already interfering with women’s freedom and health, but the problem could only get worse under a second Trump presidency. His remarks in Wilmington hint at a potential national abortion ban, which he has previously endorsed. If he returns to office, the likelihood of this happening is not hard to imagine. Regardless of how he tries to walk back these claims now, his track record of supporting and enabling bans speaks for itself.
As health care providers, we are witnessing the erosion of our ability to provide comprehensive care to our patients. Abortion is a necessary component of health care, not an isolated issue. The implications of losing access to this critical service are profound, not just for half of the population but for the entire nation’s health care system. It’s essential to recognize that these abortion bans are about much more than politics; they’re about the lives, health, and autonomy of North Carolinians
We stand at a crucial juncture. Trump’s influence has reshaped our state’s policies, turning North Carolina into a critical access point for reproductive freedom. His potential return to office threatens to intensify these issues, further endangering the health and freedoms of my patients. In the face of these ongoing attacks, it’s up to us–as physicians, as citizens, as advocates–to continue to fight for our patients’ access to legal abortion care.
This election cycle will determine the future of abortion access, not only for North Carolina, but for the nation. We should be wary of politicians that compromise patient health and intrude into the exam room. The stakes are high, but we have the power to choose a different path–one that respects health care autonomy and trusts patients and families to make their own decisions.
“Viewpoints” on Chapelboro is a recurring series of community-submitted opinion columns. All thoughts, ideas, opinions and expressions in this series are those of the author, and do not reflect the work or reporting of 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com.
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