Monica Parra, a medical sonographer at a major Albuquerque hospital, said that conscience protections are necessary to prevent ethical conflicts in patient care. This statement was made during a press conference on March 20.
"We were unaware of where our position stood," said Parra, according to YouTube.
The Lozier Institute reported that in 2022, New Mexico experienced 11,735 abortions, marking a 140% increase from the previous year. This surge is largely attributed to patients traveling from neighboring states with restrictive abortion laws, such as Texas.
According to AP News, in 2023, New Mexico enacted laws to safeguard abortion providers from legal actions initiated by other states. These "shield laws" prevent the execution of out-of-state warrants related to abortion services and prohibit state agencies from assisting in such investigations. This legislative move aims to protect healthcare professionals from external legal pressures.
AP News also reported that in January 2025, the New Mexico Supreme Court unanimously invalidated several local ordinances that attempted to restrict abortion access. The court ruled that these ordinances violated state law, reinforcing that local governments cannot impose regulations infringing upon reproductive healthcare rights established at the state level.
Parra has publicly shared her experience of being pressured to participate in procedures that conflict with her personal beliefs. She is a medical sonographer with 21 years of experience at a major Albuquerque hospital.
