When I think of some of the bravest people I know, Dr. Caitlin Bernard immediately comes to mind. In the summer of 2023, Caitlin faced charges brought against her before the medical board in Indiana claiming she had not filed the appropriate abortion reporting form in time and failed to maintain patient confidentiality when caring for a 10 year-old rape victim from neighboring Ohio. This young patient traveled from neighboring Ohio and was just beyond her state’s very restrictive 6 week ban.
Photo from AAMC news.
Caitlin provided compassionate care for this patient and her family. She commented that if Indiana enacted a strict ban, children like the one she cared for would not be able to receive care, she became vilified by anti-abortion advocates. Some claimed that she was lying and made up the case to get attention, others claimed she had broken patient confidentiality, despite not sharing identifying information. She shared less information that what one would find in the abortion reporting forms that Indiana Right to Life (for many years) had an open Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to receive monthly.
She was brought before the Indiana Medical Board and sat before a 14 hour hearing, with her medical license and ability to continue providing care to Hoosiers on the line.
As a parent and a physician, the thought of being targeted for providing compassionate and necessary care is chilling. Caitlin bravely stood in the face of injustice and defended her care. Attacks against clinicians providing abortion care continue. We face threats, hate mail, and at times attacks from the authorities.
Caitlin’s story humanizes the clinicians providing care and advocating for patients’ freedoms. We are grateful for her sharing her personal and moving story. She inspires us to continue to fight for the care that’s necessary and right for people.
Other related news coverage:
New Yorker Article: “One of the last abortion doctors in Indiana”
New York Times article about folks traveling for care the year after Dobbs. “171,000 Traveled for Abortions Last Year. See Where They Went.”
News coverage of the Texas case against Dr. Carpenter of New York related to provision of abortion care via telemedicine.
Want to learn about some amazing things going on in Indiana or donate to a local abortion fund?
Check out:
Good Trouble Coalition - they are “a grassroots group of Hoosier healthcare and public health stakeholders who collaborate to educate, empower, and facilitate political advocacy to improve life in Indiana in the areas of patient-centered care, public health, and health equity.”
Hoosier Abortion fund - Indiana-based abortion fund
Chicago Abortion Fund - helps those traveling out of state to seek care
Thanks for reading Outlawed’s Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.