TUCSON, Ariz., Nov. 04, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Although Hillary Clinton likes to code abortion as a “women’s health” issue, the major health implications of the “social issues” are being largely ignored in the Presidential election, notes the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS).

Clinton has promised to protect Roe v. Wade. Trump has promised to appoint Supreme Court justices who might overturn it. As Trump has observed, overturning that decision would return the issue of abortion to the states. Voters should be aware that a key effect of Roe v. Wade is to protect the billion-dollar abortion industry from the costly safety regulations that other medical facilities must meet, states AAPS executive director Jane M. Orient, M.D.

Another stark difference between the candidates is Clinton’s unqualified support for same-sex marriage. Apparently, states Dr. Orient, that extends to the downstream consequences that dissenting Justices warned of in the Obergefell decision. Advocates of the LGBT agenda, she observes, are pushing for suppression of dissent from the idea that homosexual behavior—or alternate gender identification—is other than normal, healthy, and morally beyond reproach.

Obama Administration “anti-discrimination” rule are already attempting to dictate medical practice, and not just bathroom use, according to AAPS News. This could mean that doctors would be forced to prescribe therapy that could sterilize prepubertal children if they are claimed to identify as the other sex.

In a speech to the 2015 Women in the World Summit, Clinton declared that religious beliefs need to be changed. Requiring contraceptive coverage by ObamaCare was discussed in Podesta emails released by Wikileaks as a “wedge issue” for bringing about a “Catholic Spring.”

“Regardless of their views on contraception, abortion, or same-sex marriage, Americans should be very concerned about the Democrats’ agenda to force doctors to violate their conscience,” warns Dr. Orient. “What if the only doctors allowed to practice would be ready to harm you, even kill you, to achieve a governmental objective? Once the conscience barrier is breached, there is no stopping point.”

The “social issues” are often framed as “rights” or “health” issues, Dr. Orient pointed out, but “they are being used to attack our most fundamental rights to freedom of speech and freedom of conscience. The consequences to health could be disastrous.”

The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) is a national organization representing physicians in virtually all specialties and every state. Founded in 1943, AAPS has the motto “omnia pro aegroto,” which means “all for the patient.”

Contact: Jane M. Orient, M.D., (520) 323-3110, janeorientmd@gmail.com