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Governor Pillen, Lieutenant Governor Kelly and health care professionals respond to misleading advertising information about the care of pregnant women

LINCOLN, NE – Gov. Jim Pillen, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly and Nebraska health care professionals have responded to misleading information about care for Nebraska women experiencing miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies. The group pointed to recent television advertisements that have caused confusion and misinformation. For public health reasons, it is essential that healthcare providers and their patients are properly informed.

“This is not about the competing abortion-related initiatives that Nebraskans are deciding on. This is about the current law and the questions that have been raised about health care during pregnancy,” said Governor Pillen. “This is about combating misinformation with facts when it comes to treating women experiencing a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.”

Dr. Timothy Tesmer, Nebraska’s chief medical officer, said he has heard from providers seeking clarity on this Law for the Protection of Preborn Children in LB574, which was passed by the Legislature and signed into law in 2023. It prohibits abortions after the 12th week of pregnancy, with the exception of rape, incest and the life of the mother.

“Current law allows the removal of an ectopic pregnancy and the removal of the remains of a deceased premature baby, as well as any emergency affecting the mother that requires abortion,” explained Dr. Tesmer.

He noted that no doctor in Nebraska has had his or her license revoked for compliance with the law. Lieutenant Governor Kelly added that disciplinary action would only be taken in cases where a medical professional was found to have performed an unlawful abortion. They face no criminal penalties.

Marcy Penrod emphasized the need for women to receive the most accurate information possible during pregnancy. For 25 years she worked as a medical assistant for a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology.

“I am extremely concerned at the moment about all the misinformation we are hearing from the public. Women deserve the truth and need to know that our state laws allow and require doctors to address these medical issues when they face challenges such as a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy,” Penrod said.

From the perspective of his 36 years as an obstetrician and gynecologist, Dr. Robert Plambeck said he and other healthcare professionals work very hard to build relationships and trust with their patients. These relationships often span many years. Misinformation about medical treatment can have harmful effects.

“If this type of information is allowed to be disseminated through various media, it will not only become a problem for me and my patients, but it will become a public health crisis,” said Dr. Plambeck. “Women who experience challenging and stressful situations during their pregnancy deserve our support.”

Dr. Richard Wurtz, who has been in family practice in Lincoln for 30 years, agreed. “Patients come to us expecting us to tell the truth and provide them with the most accurate information possible so they can make informed medical decisions for themselves and their loved ones. However, when misinformation about this primary health care comes into play, it significantly harms public health and the public trust of medical professionals.”

Elizabeth Jacobs-Fitzgerald has been a labor and delivery nurse for 30 years. In addition, she also works closely with families who have experienced miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies and stillbirths. Accurate information is particularly important in situations where people are most at risk.

“Misinformation confuses women and leaves them feeling despair and alone at a time when they should trust the health community to support them on their pregnancy loss journey,” Jacobs-Fitzgerald said. “Real women’s lives and the dignity of their unborn children are at stake, and we owe them the best medical advice and care we can provide as a community.”

“Public health is ultimately a matter of life and death and it is critically important that people have the right information to make good decisions,” said Governor Pillen.

He and Dr. Tesmer encouraged health care professionals to use their best medical judgment and contact the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Public Health Division with additional questions about the law. Any woman who is told that she cannot legally receive treatment in the event of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy should also contact the DHHS.

“The last thing we want in our state is women fearful that misinformation will prevent them from receiving medical care in these situations,” Governor Pillen emphasized.

(Left to right: Elizabeth Jacobs-Fitzgerald, Dr. Robert Plambeck, Marcy Penrod, Governor Pillen, Dr. Tim Tesmer, Lt. Governor Kelly, Dr. Richard Wurtz)