Protecting the sanctity of the patient-physician relationship is a core priority for the AMA. The AMA is committed to defending the practice of medicine and vigorously opposes legislative efforts to criminalize and restrict reproductive health services, including abortion care and assisted reproductive technology.
Through advocacy at the state and federal levels and in the courts, we are working to undo laws that ban abortion care and other reproductive health services and to mitigate the harm caused to patients and physicians. With our state partners, we are also supporting efforts in the states where abortion remains legal to increase access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care and to protect physicians and patients who provide or seek abortion care.
We vigorously oppose interference by the government or other third parties that causes a physician to compromise their medical judgment as to what information or treatment is in the best interest of the patient. The AMA:
- Works tirelessly to oppose bans on reproductive health care, including abortion and assisted reproductive technology, and works with state medical associations to amend vague and confusing laws that put patient health and well-being at risk.
- Collaborates with state partners to protect and expand access where care remains legal and to shield physicians who provide reproductive health care services and gender-affirming care from interstate enforcement actions—leading to enactment of shield laws in 23 states and the District of Columbia.
To protect the patient-physician relationship, the AMA works in collaboration with state medical associations to testify before legislative bodies and write letters to legislators, regulators, governors and policymaking organizations. The AMA’s state and federal correspondence on abortion can be found via the AMA Federal and State Correspondence Finder. Notable correspondences and testimony include:
- Letter from James Madera, MD, AMA CEO, to Dawn Euer and Robert Craven, Chairs of the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee and the Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee, respectively. March 4, 2024 (PDF).
- Letter from James Madera, MD, AMA CEO, to Doug Ducey, Arizona Governor. April 27, 2021 (PDF).
- Jack Resneck, Jr., MD, Former AMA President’s Testimony to U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce. July 19, 2022 (PDF).
On behalf of physicians, the AMA brings lawsuits, files amicus briefs and otherwise provides support or becomes actively involved in legal proceedings across the country on issues surrounding reproductive health care, abortion, and the patient-physician relationship. The AMA’s involvement in litigation and investigations concerning state interference with reproductive rights and abortion can be found via the AMA Litigation Center Case Summary Finder. Notable matters include:
- Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA (N.D. Tex.; 5th Cir.; S. Ct.)
- United States v. Idaho (D. Idaho; 9th Cir.; S. Ct.)
AMA Task Force to Preserve the Patient-Physician Relationship
The Task Force to Preserve the Patient-Physician Relationship When Evidence-Based, Appropriate Care Is Banned or Restricted (Task Force) formed as directed by AMA policies G-605.009 and D-5.998, in the aftermath of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. The Task Force informs the AMA Board of Trustees and helps guide organized medicine’s response to bans and restrictions on abortion and other evidence-based care, as well as recommend and review resources identified or developed pursuant to the topics enumerated in policies 605.009 and D-5.998(1). The primary focus of the Task Force is reproductive health care, particularly the impact of state abortion bans.
The Task Force is comprised of 29 physician representatives from the AMA’s Board of Trustees, five AMA Councils and 18 medical associations. Those organizations are:
- AMA Board of Trustees
- AMA Council on Ethics and Judicial Affairs
- AMA Council on Medical Education
- AMA Council on Medical Service
- AMA Council on Legislation
- AMA Council on Science and Public Health
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- American Academy of Dermatology
- American Academy of Family Physicians
- American College of Emergency Physicians
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- American College of Physicians
- American Psychiatric Association
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine
- American Society of Clinical Oncology
- The Endocrine Society
- California Medical Association
- Idaho Medical Association
- Massachusetts Medical Society
- MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society
- Medical Society of Virginia
- Pennsylvania Medical Society
- Texas Medical Association
In a mix of virtual and in-person meetings calendared out through 2026, the Task Force meets to identify and discuss priority issues, elevate emerging concerns, share and evaluate resources, identify resource gaps and strategize for further action. These discussions identify needed implementation-focused advocacy and practice tools and resources on issues including health equity, practice management, medical education, privacy and legal issues. Ongoing Task Force projects include the creation of a resource hub for physicians navigating abortion restrictions, research and resources on the workforce impact, strategy and message development, and state law guides. These resources and others will be available in 2025.
Please find more information about the Task Force’s charge and activities, in Board Reports 09-I-23 (PDF) and 21-I-24 (PDF). For questions on the Task Force, please reach out to [email protected].
Legal resources for physicians
Abortion Defense Network (ADN) and their network of attorneys and law firms provide legal advice and representation to physicians navigating the post-Roe legal landscape. As part of their work, ADN develops in depth “Know Your State’s Abortion Laws” guides for medical professionals, which aim to provide clarification on what conduct is permitted and what the law requires in states with abortion restrictions. The guides cover state laws and professional guidelines on numerous facets of reproductive health care, including medication abortion, contraception and Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA). Physicians seeking personalized legal assistance can contact ADN using their online form.
