Dr. Caitlin Gustafson Travels to DC to Highlight Dangers of Idaho Abortion Ban with Democratic Women’s Caucus and House Democrats for Women’s History Month
For Immediate Release
March 31, 2025
Contact: Malachi White, malachi@freeandjust.us
Dr. Caitlin Gustafson Travels to DC to Highlight Dangers of Idaho Abortion Ban with Democratic Women’s Caucus and House Democrats for Women’s History Month
Dr. Gustafson is a family physician in McCall, Idaho and the Co-President of the Idaho Coalition for Safe Healthcare
WASHINGTON, DC –– Today, Dr. Caitlin Gustafson met with members of Congress, including members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, to advocate against abortion bans in her home state of Idaho and across the country.
During her visit to the nation’s capital she was honored for her work as a clinician and family physician in Idaho while fighting to defend access to lifesaving medical care. The honor comes at the end of Women’s History Month, amidst ongoing attacks from the Trump administration and MAGA Republicans to restrict and ban access to lifesaving abortion care in Idaho and across the country.
Dr. Gustafson has continuously spoken out against these attacks and the consequences abortion bans have on patients in her community and nationwide.
“As a rural family physician, my practice is broad in scope and often includes pregnancy, labor and delivery care for my patients who do not have access to specialized services,” said Dr. Caitlin Gustafson. “I’m honored to be recognized by the Democratic Women’s Caucus, and it’s not lost on me that I am receiving this honor at a time where the Trump Administration and MAGA Republicans are attacking abortion access for patients across the country, including access to lifesaving emergency abortion care. I came to Washington DC to educate lawmakers about what’s at stake for the patients I serve every day – including the right to receive life-saving emergency care no matter which emergency room they go to in the state of Idaho.”
Earlier this month the Trump administration abandoned the legal challenge to Idaho’s abortion ban regarding the right to emergency abortion care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). Subsequently, just last week, an Idaho federal judge issued a decision granting a preliminary injunction against the state abortion ban that applies only to St. Luke’s, the largest health system in Idaho, meaning that whether or not patients can receive life-saving emergency care in Idaho depends on which ER they show up to, as every other hospital and provider in Idaho will once again be forced to airlift patients out of state or wait until their conditions worsen before they can intervene to provide the necessary care.
“Dr. Gustafson’s work and advocacy is critical to ensure the well-being and safety of patients in her community and across the country.” said Veronica Ingham, Senior Campaigns Director for Free & Just. “As the Trump administration and MAGA extremists in Congress use every tool at their disposal to restrict or ban abortion nationwide, including in states like Idaho, providers like Dr. Gustafson are being put in impossible positions because the government thinks it knows better than Idaho families and their doctors. The Trump Administration’s decision to abandon the EMTALA case means that more women will be at risk of dying, full stop.”
Protecting abortion rights and expanding access to care has never been more universally popular, uniting Americans of all race, gender, socio-economic status, geography, and political affiliations. Surveys have found that only 15% of people had heard a lot or some about the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. Still, despite the popularity of access to abortion care, the Trump administration continues to attack access to this lifesaving emergency care.
If you are interested in speaking with Dr. Gustafson about her experience in DC or as a provider in Idaho, or patients living in Idaho regarding their experience living in a post Roe world, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us. If you are interested in learning more about the research gathered regarding state-level abortion bans and federal activity, please contact malachi@freeandjust.us.
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Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future.