Episode 3 of Outlawed shares 2 incredibly powerful perspectives about what happens when access to care is cut off by the law. One perspective is from a high-risk OB-Gyn who is caring for patients with severe medical problems, facing even higher risks when pregnant. The other voice is from a patient who, as a mother, does not want her child to suffer. Below are a few questions to generate discussion about abortion access and what it means for parents, people, and their families.
Many states include protections for abortion in cases in which the mother’s life is endangered. According to Dr. Allison, why is this exception nonfunctional? Who decides when a life is in danger? What if there is disagreement about that line? In episode 2, one of the judges in a case describes how impossible it is to create a line in the sand? How might he come to that conclusion?
What types of “bureaucratic hoops” do reproductive healthcare physicians in Texas and other states face while trying to provide abortion care?
In a state with restrictive abortion policies like Texas, how is access to abortion care still stratified in privileged versus in marginalized populations?
According to the Guttmacher Institute, the majority of abortion patients are already parents to one or more children. How does Lisa’s story help to dismantle stereotypes that exist about people who seek abortion care?
Planned Parenthood notes that the out-of-pocket cost of an abortion itself can range from $580-$2,000. However, Lisa says that the total cost of her abortion was upwards of $20,000. There are dramatic differences in cost for outpatient care versus hospital-based care. What additional expenses contributed to this sum? And who do these costs disproportionately affect?
In North Carolina, care beyond 12 weeks must occur in a hospital-based setting. How might that widen disparities in care? What could be done to mitigate those disparities?
After SB8, infant mortality increased. Many of those deaths are attributed to infants born with lethal birth defects. Who should decide about decisions related to suffering? How can abortion access decrease suffering? What ethical principles are at play when patients are considering their options for care?
What parts of the story were most impactful for you?
We hope you enjoy the podcast! Feel free to engage in conversation and discussion on Substack or with your friends and family around the dinner table.
Additional links to Texas-related articles can be found on our last post.
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