I Support Laura Murvartian for GA State Rep

I’ve been reflecting on what I can add to the conversation about reproductive rights. Much has been discussed, but today, I want to focus on Georgia and share my experience as a Black OB-GYN and mother of three.

The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision in June 2022 changed everything. Nearly 50 years of federal protections under Roe v. Wade were dismantled, shifting reproductive rights to individual states. More than just reproductive rights, it reflects a desire by some to alter the role of women in modern society. In Georgia, this shift was immediate. Our six-week abortion ban—blocked in 2019—was reinstated soon after Dobbs. In September 2024, Judge Robert McBurney ruled the six-week ban unconstitutional, stating that "liberty in Georgia includes in its meaning, in its protections, and in its bundle of rights the power of a woman to control her own body." However, in October 2024, the Georgia Supreme Court reinstated the ban while the state's appeal is considered. This rapid reversal has left healthcare providers and patients navigating uncertainty, fear, and confusion.

These laws aren’t just political; they impact real people and real families. As a physician, I know that medicine doesn’t work in absolutes. Each patient brings a unique, complex situation that requires quick, informed, sometimes life-saving decisions. Yet, these restrictive laws fail to account for that reality.

One story that stays with me is of a 23-week pregnant patient who came to us with chorioamnionitis, a severe intrauterine infection. The standard of care for such a condition is to deliver the baby immediately to save the mother’s life. But here’s the problem—confirming chorioamnionitis with an amniocentesis takes time and carries risks. Waiting wasn’t an option. This mother wanted her baby more than anything, but saving her meant we had to act fast. Under some interpretations of Georgia’s laws, this life-saving care could be considered an abortion. How is it justifiable that saving a mother’s life could be viewed as wrong?

This patient’s story is not unique. I’ve seen women come to the ER multiple times, in pain, bleeding, or with complications, only to be delayed or turned away because of the fear these laws create. And these delays can be fatal. In Texas, after their six-week ban under Senate Bill 8 was enacted, infant mortality rates increased by 13% within the first year. Maternal deaths from untreated complications rose by 18%. These statistics represent real people—mothers, daughters, sisters—whose lives were lost due to policies claiming to protect life but in reality, endangering it.

Policymakers often say, "The law is clear," or, "Doctors should have known better." But these laws are vague and ambiguous. They force healthcare providers to make life-or-death decisions while fearing prosecution. These laws were passed without meaningful input from medical professionals, without clear guidelines, and without preparation for hospitals and clinics. It’s hard not to wonder if the approach would have been different if more OB-GYNs or male physicians were involved. Would these laws have been drafted with more thought, grace, and understanding?

It’s not just Georgia. In states like Idaho, many healthcare providers left post-Dobbs due to fear of legal repercussions. Within a year, Idaho lost nearly a quarter of its OB-GYNs and more than half of its maternal fetal medicine specialists. Maternity wards have closed, leaving regions without specialized care. Women are now advised to buy medical evacuation insurance in case they need emergency care—a service that can cost over $70,000. How can this be called pro-life?

I hear from colleagues about patients miscarrying in hospital waiting rooms because staff, afraid of breaking the law, delayed care until it was too late. One woman in Texas miscarried alone in a hospital bathroom while her husband pleaded for help. Another woman experiencing severe pain was turned away from a hospital and had to drive 45 minutes to another facility, where she delivered her baby prematurely in the car. The baby did not survive. This is the “culture of life” we’re told these laws support.

Reproductive justice goes beyond just abortion rights. It’s about ensuring safe, compassionate, and comprehensive care for everyone. It’s about making sure that whether a woman is facing a life-threatening infection at 23 weeks or experiencing a pregnancy complication, she receives the care she needs without fear or political interference.

This is why voting is essential—not just in presidential elections but in local and state elections. These are the elections that shape the policies impacting our hospitals, clinics, and communities. We need leaders who understand that healthcare is nuanced and who will advocate for laws that reflect the complexity of real-life medical practice.

And that’s why I’m supporting Laura Murvartian . When I met her at Shea Jackson’s event on September 10th, it was clear to me that she understands these challenges. Laura is committed to fighting for comprehensive healthcare, protecting reproductive rights, and ensuring that our state’s policies prioritize the well-being of both patients and providers. She represents the thoughtful, compassionate leadership we need to create a Georgia where healthcare decisions are guided by evidence and empathy—not fear.If you care about reproductive rights, maternal health, and leaders who will fight for equitable care, I urge you to support Laura Murvartian. Together, we can build a future where healthcare is safe, compassionate, and just.

Dr. Yamicia Connor, MD, PhD, MPH

Women’s Health Leader, CEO & Founder of Diosa Ara , Founder Race to Better Health

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