Seeking to rebuild trust with patients, AAPLOG launches advocacy arm
PREGNANCY HELP NEWS — The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) has established an advocacy initiative aiming to provide a voice for those not normally heard in the battlegrounds where the lives of women and children are at risk.
AAPLOG Action is the “advocacy arm of the largest organization of pro-life medical professionals nationwide,” according to the press statement for the launch of the organization, a 501(c)(4). More than 7,000 OB-GYNs and other medical professionals are part of the group.
Dr. Christina Francis, a board-certified OB-GYN and CEO of both AAPLOG and AAPLOG Action, spoke to Pregnancy Help News via email about AAPLOG Action’s founding.
“AAPLOG Action is committed to not only understanding the healthcare needs of all our patients (pregnant and preborn), but also to closing the gap between those who practice medicine and those who develop the policies that affect their practice,” Francis said. “The group has already endorsed legislation on Capitol Hill to increase safety for women who are exposed to dangerous abortion drugs, as well as preserve conscience rights so that life-affirming doctors will never be forced to participate in induced abortions against their will.”
AAPLOG is already using its voice to gain a presence on media platforms and the websites of pro-life U.S. officials.
“U.S. Representative @GregSteube (R-Fla.) has introduced the Women’s Protection in Telehealth Act, aiming to ban Medicare funds for providers using telehealth for abortion services,” AAPLOG shared on its Instagram page on June 14. “This legislation ensures no Medicare payments to providers who conduct tele abortions without a physical exam, in-person presence, and follow-up visit.”
The legislation was prompted by the FDA having removed the in -person dispensing requirement for the abortion drug mifepristone.
Francis is quoted in a statement on Steube’s website.
“Right now, women are using high risk drugs to carry out their own abortions at home, in their college dorm, and elsewhere,” she said. “As doctors on the front lines, we see the fall-out firsthand as we treat women experiencing significant and devastating complications.”
Medical professionals in the pro-life movement have long been voicing concern over these matters. However, their voices have been ignored by mainstream media. The new AAPLOG advocacy arm gives those voices a platform.
“We have hit the ground running to connect with policymakers, advise on and endorse legislation, and lay the groundwork to launch a series of advocacy campaigns that will equip doctors and patients to focus on quality care for women, not political agendas,” said Rebecca Weaver, AAPLOG Action executive director. “Our members are in the business of saving and improving lives and refuse to turn to methods that not only intentionally end their preborn patients’ lives, but also leave their pregnant patients vulnerable and alone.”
Francis said trust is lacking among women as they look to the medical community, and women are not getting facts about induced abortions.
“The overturn of Roe vs. Wade caused a deluge of misinformation on induced abortion and women’s healthcare, driven by politicized medical associations,” Francis told Pregnancy Help News. “We are now calling on our leaders in the medical profession to live by a higher standard and ensure that physicians are informed on existing policy that affects how they care for their patients.”
“At the same time, we are rebuilding trust with our patients,” said Francis, “assuring them that no matter what state they live in, they are still legally able to access the high-quality healthcare they deserve.”
