A Swedish health authority has ruled that physicians must facilitate abortions if patients request them even if they are doubtful about the mental stability of the patient. The ruling followed a complaint from a woman whose physician cancelled an abortion and recommended that she see a counsellor because of concern that she was not “mentally balanced.” The physician’s decision was prompted by conversation with the patient’s husband the day before the scheduled procedure [The Local].
The case clearly did not involve conscientious objection to abortion and appears to have been complicated by concerns about violation of patient confidentiality. However, it is likely that the ruling will be cited by those who wish to force physicians to refer for or otherwise facilitate abortion or other morally contested procedures.