More expert testimony from the Neuhaus hearing

Neuhaus provided mental health consults exclusively to late-term abortion patients of George Tiller’s now-closed Women’s Health Care Services. Kansas law required that a second physician concur that continuation of the pregnancy would result in “substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the woman.” “Bodily function” was interpreted to include mental health issues as long as the risk met the standard of “substantial and irreversible” mental impairment.

All late-term abortions referred by Neuhaus were justified by mental health diagnoses made concurrently by Neuhaus and physicians at WHCS.

On cross-examination by Neuhaus’ attorney, Robert Eye, questioned Dr. Gold about standard of care for mental health evaluations for late-term abortions. Dr. Gold replied that there is no such thing. She explained, “Late term abortion is not a treatment or intervention for any psychiatric condition.” . . .

When questioned about whether she had ever admitted a patient to the hospital for a late-term abortion, Dr. Gold responded, “It would be inappropriate for a psychiatrist to admit a patient to a hospital for abortion services.” . . .

When asked if an unwanted pregnancy put a teen at risk for developing psychiatric disorders, Gold was emphatic. “Teen pregnancy is not a risk factor for psychiatric disorders,” she said. Operation Rescue

Related: Day 2 of testimony