ACCESS DENIED?
HB 3013 would criminalize those providing standard medical care for women
The Oklahoma Legislature recently introduced House Bill 3013, which would ban the use of certain standard medications and assigns the rights of legal personhood “from the moment of conception.” In short, the Legislature wants to create restrictions that will jeopardize access to in vitro fertilization treatment for Oklahoma families experiencing infertility and undermine the ability of physicians like me to provide standard care to our patients.
Establishing personhood at fertilization in this and other bills will have wide implications for the reproductive health options available to Oklahomans. As we saw recently in Alabama, assigning legal personhood at conception can make it impossible for fertility experts to provide IVF care to families who need access to this medical marvel to achieve a pregnancy.
The bill also makes it illegal to use the medications Cytotec and methotrexate by designating them as “abortion-inducing drugs.” Both drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for many years for a variety of uses.
Cytotec is used to prevent gastric ulcers, for induction of labor in term pregnancy and in the case of fetal death, and for other gynecologic uses outside of pregnancy.
Methotrexate is used for chemotherapy in many cancers, for medical treatment of ectopic pregnancies to avoid surgical intervention and for treatment of arthritis.
HB 3013 designates “buying, selling, or delivering” these drugs as a felony with fines up to $100,000 and prison sentences up to 10 years. When providing standard medical care leads to criminal or other legal penalties, health care professionals cannot offer full options for treatment, and patients suffer.
I have been practicing medicine in Oklahoma for more than 30 years. My top priority as an obstetriciangynecologist has always been to provide my patients with the care they need to lead full, healthy lives. Legislative interference into medical decision-making is unwarranted and dangerous. In the case of HB 3013, it can limit the use of vital medications and access to IVF for Oklahoma families.
As our state Legislature continues to block access to reproductive health care, my colleagues and I remain committed to providing the full range of reproductive care in our state.
Dr. Dana Stone practices obstetrics and gynecology in Oklahoma City.