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March 10, 2004
US provider
Ipas wishes to thank providers who aid in keeping abortion safe and accessible.

March 10 marks the eighth National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers. Ipas joins organizations and individuals across the country in honoring the physicians who continue to support women's health and rights by providing safe abortion services.

Although abortion has been legal in the United States since 1973, significant obstacles remain for women seeking to exercise this right, including the decrease in the number of abortion providers. The number of providers has declined significantly, leaving 86% of U.S. counties without a provider. In addition, the majority of providers are 50 years of age or older, and many younger physicians are choosing not to provide abortion services. "Many medical schools do not provide abortion training," says Rivka Gordon, Director of Ipas's U.S. program. "We must focus on the next generation of clinicians to guarantee that women in the U.S. are able to access safe, affordable reproductive-health care, including abortion."

The National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers was initiated as a way to help create a positive climate for abortion providers across the country in the face of increasing harassment. March 10th was chosen as a day of remembrance for Dr. David Gunn, an abortion provider murdered on that date by an anti-choice extremist.

Without abortion providers, there is no choice, and women are unable to safely exercise their fundamental reproductive rights. What can you do to help ensure that women have access to safe abortion care?

Bibliography


For more information, contact:
Kirsten Sherk
Senior Associate, Media Relations
e-mail: sherkk@ipas.org
phone: 919.960.5612
fax: 919.929.0258