5.997 Abortion:
Abortion is a medical procedure and should be performed only by a duly licensed physician in conformance with standards of good medical practice. Neither physician, hospital, nor hospital personnel shall be required to perform an act violative of good medical judgment or personally held moral principles. In these circumstances good medical practice requires only that the physician or other professional withdraw from the case so long as the withdrawal is consistent with good medical practice. (Council 10/13/83; Reaffirmed HOD 2003-158; Reaffirmed HOD 2013; reaffirmed HOD 2023)
MSSNY opposes legislative proposals that utilize federal or state health care funding mechanisms to deny established and accepted medical care to any segment of the population. MSSNY recognizes the fact of legalized abortion and supports the right of all women to safe and legal abortion. (HOD 1982-5; Reaffirmed HOD 2013; reaffirmed HOD 2023)
MSSNY opposes any legislation that criminalizes the exercise of clinical judgment in the delivery of medical care. (HOD 2013 amended and added policy; reaffirmed HOD 2023)
