Citing safety concerns, medical schools and universities in a letter on Thursday protested subpoenas issued by a House subcommittee investigating abortion providers and fetal tissue research and asked the subcommittee to enact rules protecting any identifying information, The Hill reports (Sullivan, The Hill, 3/31).
Background
The subcommittee is the fourth House committee to investigate Planned Parenthood following the release of a series of misleading videos targeting the organization. This specially created investigative panel is tasked with investigating an even broader target: providers of abortion care.
The subcommittee is allowed to probe, among other topics, federal funding for health care providers who also provide abortion services and providers' practices for abortions later in pregnancy. The resolution (H Res 461) that created the subcommittee gave it the ability to investigate "medical procedures and business practices used by entities involved in fetal tissue procurement" and "any other relevant matters with respect to fetal tissue procurement."
According to subcommittee Chair Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), the panel has subpoena powers that it will use in consultation with the House speaker, who also oversees the panel's budget and schedule. The panel will be dissolved 30 days after it submits a report based on the investigation's findings. The subcommittee could recommend changes to laws and regulations based on its findings.
The subcommittee already has issued several subpoenas targeting abortion providers, research companies and universities. Many groups responding to the subpoenas have submitted redacted documents to protect individuals' names and other identifying information amid concerns they could be targeted by abortion-rights opponents (Women's Health Policy Report, 3/31).
Medical college association raises concerns
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), which represents medical schools in the United States, submitted the letter in conjunction with the Association of American Universities and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.
In the letter, the groups wrote that they had "significant concerns about reports that the [subcommittee] intends to issue subpoenas to compel organizations to release the identities and other personal information not only of researchers but also of graduate students and trainees, health care providers, and administrative and support staff, whether or not they have had significant involvement with research that utilizes human fetal tissue" (AAMC letter, 3/31).
The letter stated, "Many scientists and physicians are deeply concerned for their safety and that of their patients, colleagues, and students in light of inflammatory statements and reports surrounding fetal tissue donation." The groups noted that initial requests for information issued to member organizations "failed to articulate why information that identified individuals was being requested and how the Panel intended to use this information." Moreover, according to the letter, "No assurances were provided to institutions that the Panel would institute any measures to ensure that this information would be safeguarded."
The letter called for committee leaders to set rules regarding the information's use and protection (The Hill, 3/31).
