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OB-GYN? Get yourself to Texas! What could go wrong?! [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2023-08-01
I am not an OB-GYN, nor can I claim to be particularly knowledgeable about the field. But I ran across a story recently (here, by way of the Hysteria podcast) which is utterly absurd. OB-GYNs need to occasionally take certification exams (in order to have admitting privileges at least, and to work at all in many clinics / hospitals). The organization which administers these tests, ABOG*, happens to be located in Texas. For the past couple of years the certifying exams have been conducted remotely, but in 2023 they’re returning to in-person as the only option. In-person IN TEXAS.
If you’re thinking “Wait, isn’t it an utterly horrific idea for basically all of the nation’s doctors who provide abortion services to congregate in a virulently anti-choice state?” you’re certainly not alone. The questions posed on ABOG’s FAQ page for the exams make it clear this is a significant concern for their members, and the organization’s answers leave a lot to be desired:
Q: Are candidates who reside in Texas or those living outside of the state who perform abortion care at risk if they take the Certifying Exam, especially if they travel to Texas to sit for the exam? A: Any candidate taking a Certifying Exam, whether it be virtual or physically in Texas, should not be at legal risk [ED: emphasis mine]. SB8 only applies to abortions performed in Texas. ...
You can follow the FAQ link to read the remainder and the other questions, but none of it feels particularly reassuring. It’s patently obvious the Republican party, particularly in Texas, have been playing rather fast and loose with their adherence to either the spirit or text of laws as written. Hell, the state’s Republican governor had no reason to think that floating razorballs in the Rio Grande would be acceptable given that immigration is a federal concern, but that didn’t seem to deter him any.
Perhaps this is temporary, and the organization is planning to relocate out of Texas soon? Not likely! From the first link above:
The organization is scheduled to open a new $34 million dollar office building later this year. And according to city permits reported by The Dallas Morning News, the 126,000-square-foot space will include the group’s offices, a conference center, and—you guessed it—a testing facility.
Thought this might be something the community would like to know about, it certainly shocked the hell out of me! If there are any OB-GYNs who read this, I’d love to get your take...
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[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/8/1/2184627/-OB-GYN-Get-yourself-to-Texas-What-could-go-wrong
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