Editor,
My life has been dedicated to the practice of medicine and working to ensure the health of my community. I have been a physician since 1978, completing my residency in 1981 at Bernalillo County Medical Center, now University of New Mexico Hospital. I practiced in Hawaii where I went to medical school, and here in New Mexico where I did my residency in family medicine.
Over my career, I have had a private practice and served as medical director of the women’s prison in Hawaii and the Penitentiary Men’s Facility in Santa Fe. I have also been medical director at Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless, a clinician at the First Choice Community Health Centers and at the New Mexico Department of Health.
As a physician, I encourage you to vote against attempts to limit women’s access to health care, including access to safe and legal abortion. This must remain the decision of the woman with the advice of her physician and the support of her family if she so chooses.
Women have always had to make hard decisions for the sake of their families. Every pregnancy is different; women must have access to all that they need to make the right decision for themselves and for their families. This is not a place for government intrusion or intervention.
This current assault on our rights is based on no medical data.
The misinformation being given to our communities is meant to sway emotionally, but is not based in sound clinical practice.
Supporters of the proposed Albuquerque ballot measure make liberal use of misinformation and disinformation in an attempt to sway voters and further their agenda of blocking access to safe and legal abortions.
Despite what these misguided groups would have you believe, currently when a woman makes the complex decision to have an abortion, she will receive the best, safest and most appropriate procedure for her condition. We in the medical community would have it no other way.
In my many positions over the years, I have seen many women struggle in our city. Childbearing is the most personal of situations. I have two sons, each of whom is beyond dear to me.
Having and raising children requires enormous faith, trust and support. It is an enormous job. I have seen courage, faith and family support. I have not seen the need for government intrusion in this personal, private matter.
Overwhelmingly, the medical community trusts women to support their families and their children. We must continue to trust women as the best judges for themselves. A “NO” vote on Nov. 19 is a vote for respect. It is a vote to honor women in their capacity to decide what is right for each of them: to carry a child or to end a pregnancy.
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The government should not interfere by putting unconscionable and unconstitutional limitations on access to safe and legal abortions. We must not prevent New Mexico physicians from giving their patients the best possible care.
Sandra F. Penn
MD, FAAFP
