Georgia Maternal Mortality Committee Members Abruptly Fired After Details Leaked About Deaths Linked To Abortion Pill

Georgia commissioner and state health officer Dr. Kathleen Toomey dismissed all members of the committee that investigated the deaths of two women that suffered abortion pill complications after information surrounding the review leaked.

Amber Thurman and Candi Miller reportedly passed away due to complications relating to the abortion pill, which the state maternal mortality review committee determined were “preventable,” according to reports obtained by ProPublica. All committee members were let go after an investigation failed to determine which members were responsible for leaking the information, according to a letter reportedly sent by Toomey to the committee.

“Confidential information provided to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee (“MMRC” or “committee”) was inappropriately shared with outside individual(s) although both the confidential agreement that committee members sign and O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-16 prohibit the disclosure of such information,” Toomey’s letter reads. “Therefore, effective immediately the current MMRC is disbanded, and all member seats will be filled through a new application process.”

Thurman died after doctors delayed treating an infection caused by the medication abortion for over 20 hours, ProPublica reported. Miller passed away in 2022 after suffering similar complications and deciding not to seek medical attention, according to ProPublica.

Pro-life advocates insist misinformation from abortion supporters is what ultimately led to the deaths of the two women by causing confusion about what care doctors can legally provide.