Options and counseling precede a telemed abortion

By Jill June

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As CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, I need to respond to Steven Brody (executive director, Dubuque County Right to Life) and his opinion of telemedicine services.

First, I offer my condolences to Brody, and his family for their recent loss. As a mother, I understand how losing an anticipated pregnancy is emotionally devastating to the entire family. I wish you comfort during this time of grief.

In his June 5 guest column, Brody claims the drugs used in medication abortion are dangerous. In actuality, Mifepristone and Misoprostal have gone through extensive clinical trials and are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He also attempts to elicit panic by citing the number of women who have died from medication abortion since its inception: 13.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 548 mothers died from childbirth in 2007. Statistics can be used both ways.

Here is the truth about telemedicine, a procedure based on solid scientific evidence that complies with all medical standards.

When a woman comes into our health center contemplating the termination of a pregnancy, she will undergo an ultrasound to determine the gestation of the pregnancy. Brody states that the ultrasound is not shown to the woman. Not true. She is given an opportunity to see it and take home a picture of the ultrasound.

Next, a counselor talks with the woman in great length and reviews all of her options: becoming a parent, adoption and abortion. She is given factual, medically accurate and unbiased information regarding all options.

We support whichever decision she makes; we do not judge her or her decision because we understand that only she knows what is best for herself and her situation.

If she chooses abortion, she then meets with the physician, who reviews her medical history, ultrasound and lab results. Together, the physician and the woman review the medication regimen. Mifepristone is administered by the physician and the woman is given the Misoprostal to take at home within 24 to 48 hours. An appointment for a follow-up visit is made.

This process works the same whether the medication is provided on-site with the physician or via the HIPAA-secured telemedicine system. So how is delivering this medication via telemed more dangerous and harmful? It's not. It is a way for a woman in Iowa to access the health care she wants and needs.

Brody portrays Planned Parenthood as cavalier and uncaring about women. The tens of thousands of women we serve every year with Pap tests, birth control, breast exams and more, and I, vehemently disagree. We know the truth.

Brody and his organization are not protesting telemedicine, they are protesting all abortion. While abortion creates strong emotions for everyone, who are you, Brody, to make a private medical decision for a woman and her family?

Each woman's circumstances are different. To imply a woman can't make that decision herself suggests that you know what is best for her.

For readers who may not understand why a woman ends her pregnancy but do understand only she can make that personal decision, I urge you to contact your state legislators and tell them to keep all abortion, no matter the delivery method, both safe and legal.

Jill June is CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. Comments: questions@ppheartland.org