An Indian-origin doctor has been at the centre of all the attention for her response to a question about “male pregnancy” at a US Senate hearing on abortion pills. Nisha Verma, who provides reproductive healthcare in Georgia and Massachusetts, was first questioned by Senator Ashley Moody and later by Republican Senator Josh Hawley on whether men could get pregnant.
Testifying before a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on the safety and regulation of the abortion pill mifepristone, including concerns about misuse or coercion, Verma did not give a direct yes-or-no answer.
She said she hesitated because of “how the conversation was going or what the goal was,” adding that she treats patients with different identities. Hawley said the question was about biology and science, and accused her of avoiding the fact that biological men did not get pregnant.
Verma responded, “Science and evidence should guide medicine. But I also think yes or no questions like this are political tools.”
Who Is Nisha Verma?
- Nisha Verma was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, to Indian immigrant parents. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology and anthropology, followed by a medical degree (MD) from the University of North Carolina.
- She completed her internship and OB/GYN (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Verma then completed a Complex Family Planning Fellowship and earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from Emory University.
- She is a double-board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and a subspecialist in complex family planning.
- Verma currently practices comprehensive reproductive healthcare in Georgia. She is also a fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health.
- According to Academy Health, she serves as Senior Advisor for Reproductive Health Policy and Advocacy at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). She also holds the position of Adjunct Assistant Professor at Emory University School of Medicine.
