by Kate Thomas

Created on: November 21, 2009

It astounds me when people think that doctors who provide abortions picked their profession because they are looking to make a quick dollar. I have volunteered at an abortion clinic and have met more doctors who provide abortions than I can count on one hand. Every single one of them is committed to helping women in one of the most difficult times of their lives - committed enough to put their lives at risk every single day. Every one of them has faced threats in their daily lives, has experienced picketing outside their houses and their childrens' schools. Their home phone numbers and address are published on websites calling for their death. They worry about their safety and their family's safety on a daily basis. Some have to wear bullet-proof vests and hire security details just to go to and from work - and, as recent events show, this isn't even enough.

Yes, abortions are an expensive procedure. This is because many - most - insurance companies do not cover "elective" abortions, and so the entire cost has to be paid out of pocket. Many out-patient surgical procedures cost at least as much, if not more, than getting an abortion, but most other out-patient procedures are covered at least partially by insurance. Just like any other medical facility, salaries have to be paid and medical equipment (which can be very expensive) must be purchased - but because insurance companies will not pay for abortions, the entire cost unfortunately falls on the patient. Many facilities that provide abortions are non-profit, anyway - any money that is made is put back into education or funds to help women who can't afford abortions.

It is over exaggerating to say that the majority of doctors that provide abortions do so as the only part of their profession. Sometimes providing abortions in only one aspect of their job, and they are also OBGYNs - providing the whole range of women's health services. The amount of money they make from a days worth of abortion procedures is nothing compared to what they could make, say, being on call overnight at a hospital (for example). Also, there are many more lucrative specialties that a doctor could go into - refer to this chart, which shows the median salaries of doctors by specialty from 2009: click here. As you can see, an OBGYN has a median salary $294,190 - a lot of money, to be sure. But orthopedic surgeons make nearly double that (and, due to the complexity of the surgeries they perform versus the complexity of abortion procedures, perhaps that is commensurate).

Yes, there will always be some people who are out only to make a profit in whatever profession they are in - look at CEOs of major companies, for example. But the vast majority of doctors that provide abortions do so because they believe that it is important, even vital work. I don't believe that doctors would take the personal and professional risk that providing abortions poses if they were only looking to make money. As Dr. Tiller said, he did it because he trusted women to know what was best for them in their own lives. He literally gave his life to help women - and it is insulting to him and his family to suggest he did it merely to make money.

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