Only Pro-Choice OB-GYN in Congress U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison Introduces SAFE Training for OB-GYNs Act

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) introduced the Safeguarding Access to Full-spectrum Education (SAFE) Training for OB-GYNs Act, which would support better access to clinical training opportunities, including abortion care, for OB-GYN residents training in states with abortion bans.

Four years after the U.S. Supreme Court dismantled Roe v. Wade, one in three women in the United States now live under an abortion ban - and these bans are worsening doctor shortages across the country. When OB-GYNs are placed in states with abortion bans for their residency, they face significant barriers to accessing comprehensive training in abortion care - often having to travel out of state or rely on simulations to learn skills integral to abortions, ectopic pregnancies, and managing miscarriages. This could leave OB-GYNs unprepared to care for their patients and endanger the lives of women who need life-saving obstetric and gynecological care.

Representative Morrison is the first and only pro-choice OB-GYN to ever serve in Congress. Her new legislation, the SAFE Training for OB-GYNs Act, would provide funding for programs training OB-GYN residents from abortion ban states and for travel expenses residents placed in abortion ban states may be responsible for in their pursuit of comprehensive abortion care training.

"Every OB-GYN in the country should be trained in every aspect of obstetric and gynecological care," said Congresswoman Kelly Morrison. "As the only pro-choice OB-GYN in Congress, I know how important it is for OB-GYNs to receive hands-on experience in providing abortion care. An abortion ban in even one state affects access to safe health care across the country. If doctors can't receive proper training, lives will inevitably be put at risk. This bill will make it safer and easier for women to get the care they need, and will ensure that future generations of doctors are able to care for all of their patients."

This bill is co-led by Representatives Ami Bera (CA-06), Kim Schrier (WA-08), and Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and endorsed by the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, ACOG, PPFA, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Power to Decide, Center for Reproductive Rights, ACLU, Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, Guttmacher Institute, Catholics for Choice, National Partnership for Women and Families, National Council of Jewish Women, Reproductive Freedom for All, National Women's Law Center, and National Abortion Federation

"As a doctor, I know that a strong healthcare workforce starts with strong medical training," said Congressman Ami Bera. "Since the Dobbs decision, abortion bans have made it harder for OB-GYN residents to receive the full reproductive health training required as part of their education. In many cases, these future physicians are being forced to travel to another state to gain the experience they need to provide comprehensive care to their patients. The SAFE Training for OB-GYNs Act helps ensure residents can complete that training by supporting graduate medical residency programs and covering the travel costs associated with it."

"In states like Texas where abortion is banned, OB-GYN residents cannot get the full training they need to care for their patients - and women across the country are paying the price," said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. "Restricted access to training is already driving a shortage of providers, making reproductive care harder to access even in states without bans. The SAFE Training for OB-GYNs Act gives residency programs the resources to train future OB-GYNs in the full range of reproductive healthcare their patients need and deserve. I am glad to join Congresswoman Morrison and Congressman Bera in this effort."

"Abortion training equips future ob-gyns with fundamental and life-saving procedural skills which are imperative to providing the full scope of ob-gyn care, including caring for patients experiencing pregnancy loss. Unfortunately, the Dobbs decision and resulting abortion bans have made it harder for OB-GYN residency programs to train residents in these critically important skills. ACOG is grateful to Rep. Kelly Morrison, MD, FACOG, for introducing the SAFE Training for OB-GYNs Act to ensure that all OB-GYN residents have access to the training they need to provide evidence-based care to our patients across the country," said President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Camille A. Clare, MD, MPH, CPE.

"As physicians, we know that the lack of access to abortion training in medical school and residency harms the health and well-being of communities across the country. When abortion training is unavailable, full-spectrum pregnancy care is negatively impacted; whether a patient needs to end a pregnancy or is facing pregnancy loss, everyone should be able to get the care they need, where they live. Since Dobbs, we've seen a concerning decrease in care sites that are able to train physicians in care for pregnancy loss, and our communities are suffering as a result. We are thankful to Representative Morrison for advocating to protect and increase access to reproductive and sexual health care and abortion training." said CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health Dr. Jamila Perritt.

"Abortion bans are forcing medical students and residents to seek training across state lines while worsening provider shortages in communities already struggling to care for patients. The SAFE Training for OB-GYNs Act will help ensure medical institutions can continue providing the clinical training needed to support the next generation of reproductive health care providers. We thank Congresswoman Morrison for her leadership on this bill," said Reproductive Freedom for All President and CEO Mini Timmaraju.

Read the full text of the bill HERE.

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