Get notified by email when this case is updated.
Written by: E. George
Published May 8, 2025 @ 6:50 PM ET
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – A new report released by U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff details how Georgia’s restrictive abortion law is impacting emergency medical care for pregnant women, with physicians citing dangerous delays in treatment that, in some cases, have led to severe health complications, permanent damage, or even death.
The findings stem from a survey conducted by Ossoff’s office in coordination with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Participating physicians shared accounts of being unable to perform timely medical interventions due to the state’s abortion restrictions, which prohibit most abortions after roughly six weeks of gestation. Respondents described systemic confusion and fear among patients and providers about what constitutes legal action under the law.
Clinicians reported being forced to delay necessary procedures for patients with pregnancy complications, including those experiencing preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM), a serious condition where the amniotic sac breaks before fetal viability. Under current Georgia law, physicians say they cannot act until signs of life-threatening infection appear, even when the fetus cannot survive and the mother’s health is at risk.
According to the report, multiple cases have occurred where women suffered worsening infections or were denied emergency care outright while miscarrying. In at least one instance, a patient underwent a hysterectomy after doctors waited for infection to set in before intervening. In other examples, women with nonviable pregnancies had to be turned away or referred elsewhere, and some delayed seeking care altogether due to fears about legal repercussions.
The report underscores a broader investigation by Ossoff’s office into the public health effects of Georgia’s abortion law, which he launched as part of his work with the Senate Human Rights Subcommittee. Previous phases included oversight hearings and firsthand testimonies from Georgia residents and medical professionals who described similar consequences, including patients being denied care or facing significant medical risks due to the ambiguity and severity of the law.
Georgia’s abortion law only allows exceptions when continuing a pregnancy poses a substantial risk of death or irreversible bodily harm to the pregnant person. However, physicians surveyed emphasized that the lack of clarity around these exceptions has created a chilling effect on care, where decisions are often delayed out of concern for legal liability.
The report adds to mounting concerns from reproductive health experts and policymakers who warn that restrictive abortion laws can compromise timely access to lifesaving medical care, especially in complex or emergent situations. The issue remains a flashpoint in Georgia and nationally as courts and legislatures continue to grapple with the scope and impact of abortion regulations.