As a health professional, I believe that a woman's personal medical decisions should be made by her, in ways consistent with her own values and in consultation with her physician and family.

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision diminishes the doctor-patient relationship by preventing doctors from using their clinical experience and judgment. Physicians are essentially forced to violate the code of ethics that mandate that they take no actions which could harm the health, safety and welfare of a patient.

As a health professional, I am appalled that our nation's laws no longer consider women's health paramount. And I am deeply offended by politicians acting to take these intensely private decisions out of women's hands.

In the aftermath of the reckless U.S. Supreme Court decision with no protection for women's health, I pledge to do all I can to ensure that politicians in the Wisconsin Legislature and in Congress affirmatively legislate the importance of women's health.