ICYMI: Dr. Caitlin Gustafson Addresses House Members on the Dangers of Extreme Abortion Bans in Washington D.C.
For Immediate Release
April 3, 2025
Contact: Malachi White, malachi@freeandjust.us
ICYMI: Dr. Caitlin Gustafson Addresses House Members on the Dangers of Extreme Abortion Bans in Washington D.C.
During her visit, Dr. Gustafson was honored for her work as a rural family physician and her advocacy for reproductive freedom in states with extreme abortion bans.
WASHINGTON, DC –– This week to close out Women’s History Month, 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 rural family physician in Idaho while fighting to defend access to lifesaving medical care amidst ongoing attacks from the Trump administration and extreme anti-abortion policy makers.
Dr. Gustafson addressed House Democratic leadership and members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus while being honored for her work. Remarks can be found below:
“Thank you to the DWC and to Chairwoman Fernandez. I also want to thank Free and Just who brought me out here and has elevated this work, and done the work of bringing storytellers to this issue because that's really what it takes is for us to continue to tell the hardest stories out there. Unfortunately, that's the time we're living in. For me, as a rural family doctor, I've lost a lot. In Idaho, I have the privilege of taking care of families, generations of families in Idaho. I love it. I had the dream job, until the Idaho abortion ban came into effect. Some of you know what's going on with EMTALA—that is just the tip of the issue for the abortion care issue. It’s so important to the fight that we're fighting for basic emergency care as it relates to reproductive health care. So thanks again for keeping the fight going, for understanding how important this is, for elevating the stories of patients, providers, and families who are affected by this issue. Reproductive freedom is an American dream. It doesn't have to be just a dream, though. It's an American right. We will get there, I’m keeping the hope. Thank you very much for having me and for this honor.”
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, 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.
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.