The American Public Health Association on Tuesday issued policy statements in support of "safe and accessible" abortion services, the Chicago Tribune reports.
According to the Tribune, APHA -- which includes health advocates such as lawyers, physicians, policymakers and researchers -- released the policy statements at a conference in Chicago.
APHA's policy statements described "access to abortion as a human right." The group also called on hospitals to establish "broad and inclusive" standards for admitting privileges that would facilitate access to abortion services and related care "without creating burdensome barriers for those providers that are required to gain hospital privileges."
The organization also advocated for universal contraceptive access, as well as ending the practice of HIV testing for employment.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the push for expanded abortion access comes as numerous states are facing barriers to the procedure. Research from the Guttmacher Institute shows that in 2014, 15 states enacted abortion restrictions such as mandatory counseling and delays prior to abortion, as well as curbing minors' abortion access (Russell, Chicago Tribune, 11/3). According to Guttmacher, states enacted 231 new abortion restrictions between 2011 and 2014 (Women’s Health Policy Report, 1/6).
