Testified.pdf

Christina Francis, MD, testifies before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, representing the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She argues that despite nearly 50 years of access to abortion, the US has high maternal mortality and preterm birth rates. Francis claims that abortion is not healthcare, but rather a procedure that ends the life of a distinct human being and poses risks to the mother's health. She cites studies showing that abortive procedures can lead to preterm birth, mental health problems, and other deleterious effects, particularly for minority populations. Francis disputes claims that restricting abortion will lead to increased maternal mortality, pointing to poor data collection and inaccurate claims about abortion safety. She references studies from Finland and Mexico, which suggest that restricting abortion does not increase maternal mortality and may even decrease it. Francis concludes that elective abortion exists to solve a social problem, not a medical one, and that women deserve better healthcare and accurate information to inform their decisions.