Prop 139 Poses a Threat to Women’s Health in Arizona and Beyond

By Dr. Erica Kreller |

As an experienced OB/GYN specializing in high-risk pregnancies, I have witnessed the complexity of caring for women in vulnerable situations. While political activists advocate for Proposition 139 as a safeguard for healthcare in Arizona, the reality is starkly different. This proposal poses significant dangers to women’s health.

Proponents of Prop. 139 assert that it will protect abortion access, yet the amendment threatens to dismantle vital health and safety regulations. Arizona joins a list of ten states considering similar measures, which, if adopted, could lead to a nationwide decline in reproductive health standards, impacting policies far beyond state lines.

Current Arizona law permits abortions up to 15 weeks, with allowances for later procedures under medical emergencies— a policy that enjoys support from 90% of state residents. In contrast, Prop. 139 seeks to extend measures significantly beyond mere access.

Under this proposition, crucial regulations designed to protect women during abortion procedures would be eliminated. For instance, medical professionals currently must inform patients about potential risks, ensuring informed consent. Prop. 139 would render these requirements illegal. Mandatory ultrasounds that identify dangerous conditions? Illegal. Parental consent for minors? Also illegal. Licensed physicians? The requirement would vanish.

This is not conjecture; these changes are enshrined in the text of the amendment. Prop. 139 explicitly bars any laws that could be seen as “barriers” to abortion, discarding essential safeguards such as facility inspections and waiting periods. These measures serve to protect the health and safety of women. Alarmingly, the proposition lacks clarity regarding the qualifications of those allowed to perform abortions, threatening to permit unqualified individuals to conduct procedures irresponsibly.

The ramifications of Prop. 139 extend well beyond Arizona. Similar amendments in other states have already compromised healthcare standards, such as those witnessed in Michigan. What occurs in one state often cascades into others, shaping national policy discussions and influencing legislation elsewhere.

This development is not a restoration of reproductive rights; it represents a regression to unsafe, unregulated practices reminiscent of back-alley abortions—now under a legal framework. The potential for harm, ranging from botched procedures and infections to life-threatening complications, would surge. Ultimately, it is women who will shoulder the consequences.

Through my practice, I have encountered women who believed that abortion was a straightforward solution, only to endure lasting physical and emotional trauma. They needed comprehensive care, which Prop. 139 fails to address.

Moreover, the amendment could lead to an increase in late-term abortions, where health risks multiply exponentially. Research from the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion highlights that the risk of death rises by 38% each week after the eighth week of pregnancy.

Supporters claim that they seek to make abortion “safe and easy,” but removing critical safety protocols does not equate to safety; it leads to perilous outcomes for women. Eroding regulatory oversight does not enhance access to care; it endangers lives.

The implications of Prop. 139 extend beyond Arizona’s borders. Acceptance of this amendment would embolden other states to erode health and safety standards, under the guise of expanding access. This reckless trajectory is unacceptable. Women across the country deserve better healthcare—care that aligns with our commitment as physicians to do no harm.

Should Prop. 139 pass, it would impede our ability to protect patients and deliver informed, quality care. The result? More women facing harm—physically, emotionally, and even fatally.

The women of Arizona, and indeed those throughout America, are entitled to a future where reproductive healthcare is safe, informed, and compassionate. For the sake of women’s health, Prop. 139 must be rejected.

Dr. Erica Kreller is a board-certified OB/GYN practicing in Gilbert, Arizona, and a founding member of Arizona Physicians Against Prop 139.