State Medical Assn. Votes to Retain Its Abortion-Rights Position

A resolution that called on the California Medical Assn. to stop expressing its support for abortion rights was soundly defeated by CMA members Tuesday at their annual meeting at the Disneyland Hotel.

The measure, offered by Orange County physician John Warburton, asked the CMA to “cease and desist” from advocating a pro-choice position on abortion because a minority of the members are “morally opposed.”

The resolution caused debate at a reference committee hearing Sunday. However, most of the 440 delegates who voted on the resolution Tuesday agreed that the CMA should be allowed to express opinions held by a majority of its members.

“By joining a group, members agree to be governed by the majority,” said H. Rex Greene, the chairman of the committee that heard the issue.

Other delegates agreed, saying that while they can respect the position of the resolution supporters, it is unfair for the majority’s voice to be muffled.

Warburton complained specifically about CMA statements made in opposition to suggestions that California change its abortion laws.

“I am against this kind of prominent support (of abortion),” he said. Warburton said that he and other resolution supporters do not plan a formal protest over the vote.

“It’s best to remain a thorn and one day become a rose,” he said.

In other action Tuesday, delegates gave their support to a CMA push for low-cost health insurance for working Californians.

The plan would use $100 million allocated to a state education program that warns about the dangers of smoking. A total $130 million is targeted for the anti-smoking program. The funds are generated by a new surtax levied on tobacco products under Proposition 99, a statewide initiative approved by voters in 1988.