She was only 10 years old and abortion was no longer legal in her home state of Ohio since the repeal of the Roè v. to wade. It is therefore out of necessity that a young American woman, a victim of rape, had come to ask for help from doctors in the neighboring state, Indiana, where legislation still allows abortions under certain conditions. . Dr. Caitlin Bernard, who was responsible for it, is now paying the consequences: on Thursday, May 25, she appeared before the Indiana College of Physicians, which sent her, at the end of this day, a letter of reprimand and ordered her to pay a $3,000 fine. Lunar.
Accused of violating medical confidentiality
Dr. Caitlin Bernard’s story begins a year earlier. Interviewed by a journalist, she explains that she had performed an abortion on a 10-year-old girl, a victim of rape, that she had not been able to receive the necessary care in her home state. The information sparked outrage across the country, which has been hit hard by anti-abortion restrictions that have multiplied since this fundamental right was undermined by the Supreme Court in June 2022.
But the Indiana attorney general, known for his anti-abortion positions, is impassive. Conversely, Todd Rokita publicly questions the veracity of the story reported by Caitlin Bernard, and the very possibility that a 10-year-old boy could be a victim of rape. As the media report Jezebel, when the alleged perpetrator is arrested, the prosecutor even goes so far as to claim (erroneously) that Caitlin Bernard never reported the rape and abortion of the child to the state. Todd Rokita has his office investigate Caitlin Bernard and files a complaint with the Indiana College of Physicians, whose membership was nominated by a Republican governor who also opposes abortion. The doctor is then criticized for not respecting medical confidentiality when speaking to the media.
“It is essential that people understand the real impact of laws”
Dr Caitlin Bernard has denied revealing sensitive data about her patient: “ I think it’s essential that people understand the real impact of the laws passed in this country, whether they concern abortion or otherwise. It is important to understand what patients are going through “, he added during his hearing. Her lawyer also recalled that doctors are not prohibited from speaking to the media, and that her client has done everything to ensure that an investigation is opened by the competent authorities, in order to clarify the circumstances of the assault lass.
As the media point out Jezebel ironically, Indiana is also one of the few states to require that every abortion be reported to him. This climate of increased surveillance exposes patients to a potential risk of criminalization, and puts them in difficulty (if not in danger). Proof that the secrecy argument only works when it suits conservatives.
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
