Reproductive Justice and New Jersey

This blog will focus on reproductive justice issues in the state of New Jersey, and beyond. The term reproductive justice was coined by women of color, specifically the amazing women from SisterSong. The term is meant to be an expansion of the reproductive rights paradigm which focuses on the issues of birth control and abortion rights.
Reproductive Justice uses the experiences of women of color as the point of entry to discuss issues of reproductive rights and health. This shift in center more clearly puts into focus the ways that the interrelated systems of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation work to limit women's ability to gain and maintain control of their reproductive lives.
The reproductive justice framework facilitates a more nuanced discussion of issues such as access to abortion, health care, birthing, the right to reproductive health, eugenics, population control, and the many reproductive technologies that exist. I have great respect for the women who claimed the term Reproductive Justice and use it with care, especially as a white woman who has worked hard to understand the ways white privilege has affected her life and choices.

I look forward to an open dialogue about important issues in our community, and welcome comments both critical and affirming.


Friday, December 3, 2010

License Revocation Keeps Women Safe

The revocation of the license of George Shepard is a necessary step to keep women safe.  It has long been known in the abortion service community that this provider is dangerous.  

A hidden issue with the anti-abortion rhetoric is that it prevents the pro-choice community from speaking too loudly about unsafe abortion clinics and providers.  The fear is that the information will be used by the anti-choice movement.  Keeping women safe is the primary concern of the reproductive justice and reproductive choice movement, and this includes revoking licenses of unsafe providers.

The below news bulletin is from Megan Paterson, Deputy Director of the National Network of Abortion Funds. 

Md. Abortion Provider's License Revoked in Connection With Investigation

December 3, 2010 — The Maryland Board of Physicians has permanently revoked the license of an obstetrician employed at an abortion clinic owned by Steven Brigham, who has been the target of investigations by Maryland and New Jersey authorities over alleged unscrupulous abortion procedures, the AP/Baltimore Sun reports.
The board revoked the license of obstetrician George Shepard on Nov. 18, following its suspension of his license in August. Shepard allegedly ordered medications for an Elkton, Md., abortion clinic owned by Brigham, who is accused of starting an abortion in Voorhees, N.J., and completing the procedure in Maryland, where state law is more permissive (AP/Baltimore Sun, 12/2). The Maryland board said Shepard engaged in unprofessional conduct and practiced medicine with an unauthorized person (Walsh, Cherry Hill Courier-Post, 12/3).

Brigham is the owner of American Women's Services, a chain of women's health clinics in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and New Jersey. He is not licensed to practice medicine in Maryland. Over the past 18 years, his medical license has been revoked, relinquished or temporarily suspended in five states (Women's Health Policy Report, 9/8).

In October, New Jersey authorities also suspended Brigham's medical license, saying he is "a clear and imminent danger to the public's health, safety and welfare." He has denied any wrongdoing (Cherry Hill Courier-Post, 12/3).
Posted by Mandy Restivo at 10:30 AM

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