The American Medical Association (AMA), a prominent medical organization known for its liberal stances, has recently voted against a resolution opposing the deliberate ending of lives of babies who survive abortions. The resolution was proposed by Dr. Thomas Eppes, a self-identified pro-choice doctor from Virginia, during an AMA meeting in Chicago. Dr. Eppes appealed to the AMA to advocate for the “highest standard of neonatal care” for an aborted fetus that is born alive at a viable gestational age, typically around 22 weeks. His proposal placed the responsibility of care on the physician once the fetus is viable.
Despite Dr. Eppes being the sole voice supporting the resolution, the proposal was overwhelmingly voted down, with a reported 476 to 106 in opposition. Eppes questioned whether the rights and care for a viable fetus change depending on whether the fetus is in a man-made incubator versus the uterus of a woman. However, the opposition to the resolution was led by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a pro-abortion body.
A 2019 report from the Heritage Foundation argued the necessity of federal protections for babies born alive during abortions, citing specific examples of babies who were neglected by medical professionals. The report’s findings underscore the controversial nature of the issue in the medical field.
In recent years, both major medical organizations and the Democratic Party have been criticized for their perceived support for infanticide. This is evident in a trend of governors signing laws that legalize abortion throughout pregnancy for any reason, while concurrently vetoing anti-infanticide legislation. The AMA’s recent decision to vote down Dr. Eppes’ resolution may serve to fuel these criticisms.