Attorney General Anthony G. Brown of Maryland joined 19 other attorneys general in submitting testimony urging the American Medical Association (AMA) to revise board certification requirements that may pose risks to health care providers. The coalition raised concerns that requiring providers of abortion and gender-affirming care to travel to states with restrictive laws for in-person testing places them at potential legal and physical risk.
The testimony argues that current testing mandates could impact access to reproductive and gender-affirming care nationwide. The attorneys general recommend the AMA take further action by advising medical specialty boards to relocate testing sites to states without such restrictions, offer remote testing, or allow exemptions for individuals facing risks.
Earlier this year, the AMA adopted a policy encouraging medical boards to consider alternative testing options in light of restrictive state laws. However, the attorneys general believe this policy lacks urgency and specific guidance.
The testimony cites the example of the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ABOG), which requires in-person exams in Texas, a state that has enacted strict laws against abortion and gender-affirming care. The coalition asserts that this requirement could endanger providers and limit access to care.
Attorneys general from New York, Massachusetts, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia joined Maryland in submitting the testimony.
