[This statement is currently under review by ARHP’s policy committee. An updated statement will be posted as soon as it is revised and approved by the ARHP board of directors.]

ARHP supports the legal right of a woman to obtain an abortion. ARHP supports the United States Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, and opposes any legislation, regulation, or Constitutional amendment that weakens this decision and/or intervenes in medical decision making regarding abortion.

• Regulations that prevent women in the military and female dependents of men in the military from obtaining abortions are a violation of rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
• All women, regardless of insurance status or coverage, must have full and equal access to abortion services. Private insurers should reimburse the cost of abortion services according to the same guidelines established for other, routinely-covered medical and surgical care. Publicly funded health services, such as Medicaid and health plans covering government employees and the military, must not discriminate against women by denying coverage for the provision of abortion services.
• While parental involvement in the provision of reproductive health care services for minors is desirable and should be encouraged, it may not always be feasible or in the best interest of the minor, and it should not be legislatively required. It is vital that abortion and other reproductive health services for minors be accessible, safe, and confidential.

Women seeking medical advice on reproductive health issues must be given complete information on all reproductive choices, including pregnancy termination options without coercion. The decision to continue or terminate a pregnancy belongs to the pregnant woman. ARHP opposes the 'global gag rule' regulation on the grounds that no health care provider should be prevented from giving information about safe and clinically appropriate options for women. Policies that prevent health care providers from discussing these options or providing related services violate free speech and jeopardize the lives and health of women and their families. ARHP opposes legislation that requires health care providers to read government-scripted lectures to patients. Such legislation interferes with a woman’s relationship with her health care provider and the ability of the provider and patient to determine the best treatment for the patient. ARHP opposes restrictions on reproductive health services and benefits imposed by faith-based hospitals and institutions.

ARHP encourages the investment of public and private funding for basic and clinical research to develop further improved abortion techniques. ARHP strongly supports educational programs that seek to increase individual and public knowledge about reproductive health so that unintended pregnancy and abortion will become less frequent.

Abortion education needs to be a standard component of medical education in all accredited institutions. Abortion training should be available to all, with exceptions only to meet the needs of individuals whose personal beliefs preclude them from providing abortion services. Health care providers who do not provide abortion services on moral or religious grounds have a professional obligation to provide their patients with a timely referral to another health professional known to provide such services. An individual provider's religious or moral beliefs must not limit the scope or the quality of health care available to patients.

ARHP’s Position Statement on abortion was modified and approved by ARHP’s board of directors on February 23, 2005.