The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists formally endorsed marriage equality for all same-sex couples, saying legally recognized marriage promotes women’s health by easing stress and promoting financial security.
In a policy statement released on Aug. 20, the College praised the recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act and gave equal protection to same-sex marriages under federal law. But the College also called for additional work to ensure that same-sex couples in all states can receive the same benefits. While the Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Windsor provides federal recognition to states that currently have civil marriage for same-sex couples, it does not require other states to recognize those marriages.
Dr. Jeanne A. Conry
"As a society, we have made enormous progress, but we won’t have full marriage equality until same-sex marriage is legal in every state," Dr. Jeanne A. Conry, president of the College, said in a statement.
Marriage has a number of positive health outcomes for both heterosexual and same-sex couples, including fewer symptoms of depression and lower levels of stress, compared with couples who are in long-term relationships that aren’t legally recognized marriages, according to the policy statement crafted by the College’s Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women. The policy statement will be published in the September issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
"As ob.gyns., we must be strong advocates for all of our patients’ health and well-being," Dr. Conry continued. "We know that access to health care and the health of women and their families is tied to financial security. Marriage helps provide this financial security for many women, regardless of sexual orientation."
The Supreme Court ruling will mean increased access to the federal Family Medical Leave Act. Same-sex couples who are married and live in states that legally recognize their marriage will be able to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year to care for immediate family members under the Family Medical Leave Act.
Compared with married heterosexual couples, same-sex couples are less likely to receive employer-sponsored dependent health care coverage, so they are more than twice as likely to be uninsured. "This has real consequences for our lesbian patients," Dr. Conry said. "When women don’t have health insurance, they may not get screened for cervical and breast cancer or receive other important well-woman care."
The latest policy statement from the College updates a policy issued in 2009. The earlier policy called for lesbian couples to get the same legal protections as married couples (Obstet. Gynecol. 2009;113;469-72).
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