ATLANTA (September 17, 2024) — Today, Sen. Sonya Halpern (D–Atlanta) released the following statement following an investigation from Georgia’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee into the 2022 death of Amber Thurman:
“I am heartbroken to learn about the tragic and entirely preventable death of Amber Thurman, who lost her life due to delayed emergency medical care under Georgia’s abortion ban. This devastating loss serves as a stark reminder of how dangerous this law is—putting our healthcare providers in direct conflict with the Hippocratic Oath they swore to uphold, all while they fear the risk of prosecution. As a result, the trust that people have in their doctors erodes, and the access to essential care becomes dangerously limited.
I am angry when I consider that in a state like Georgia—a place with so much to offer and a history of setting powerful examples for the rest of the country—this is what we are becoming known for. We can and we must do better.
Fighting for a woman’s right to agency over her own body is a fight for our collective humanity. It transcends politics, dogma and division. It is a basic, universal truth that should be undeniable to all.
Amber Thurman didn’t have to die. But the system made it easier for her to do so—and that is simply unacceptable.”
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Sen. Sonya Halpern serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus. She represents the 39th Senate District which includes neighborhoods across the five cities of Atlanta, College Park, City of South Fulton, East Point and Union City, all in Fulton County. She can be reached at 404.656.9644 or at sonya.halpern@senate.ga.gov
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.