OPINION:
I ask my fellow nurses in Virginia: What will happen to us and to our patients if the commonwealth’s proposed constitutional amendment to protect the “fundamental right to reproductive freedom” passes?
First of all, the practice of medicine without a license looms large. The carte blanche given to the “individual who aids or assists another individual … in the exercise of such individual’s right to reproductive freedom” contains no reference to qualifications, licenses or the consequences for actions taken. It relegates the medical professionals to the status of cleanup crew.
Further, there is liability only for us, not for the perpetrator of the disaster. Don’t think so? Read the text.
In spite of the amendment’s nod to best practice, there is no way to implement such if no medical oversight is required. The patient is on her own in the Wild, Wild West.
With the advent of mail order abortions, we lost all hope of intervening to identify coercion or rectify ills. This amendment codifies an open door to abuse. We have no contact with the patient, no guarantee of informed consent and no opportunity to educate. The patient’s acquiescence is lauded as “choice” in the ivory halls of the legislature.
Then there is the issue of the abandonment of the tiniest patients, who deserve our protection. Not everyone believes that these patients, who have no voice, do not deserve a voice. If we don’t stand up for them, who will? Our conscience rights, as medical and nursing professionals, are obliterated by this amendment.
Those of us on the ground — in the emergency rooms, the intensive care units and the maternity wards — know better. But any attempts to protect our patients will be summarily put down, our professional licenses will be questioned and financial ruin will ensue as we try to protect those credentials.
If you want a stranglehold on best practice, this is it. No matter how you look at it, abortion is a dirty business. This amendment seeks to codify the “final solution” by gilding the dunghill and whitewashing the tomb.
Will we allow it?
ROSEMARY ANTUNES
Front Royal, Virginia
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