Why a Leading OB-GYN Faces a Formal Complaint
A prominent OB-GYN, Dr. Ingrid Skop, is facing a formal complaint that could lead to the loss of her board certification. The complaint, filed by fellow OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, accuses Dr. Skop of spreading dangerous medical misinformation, especially around abortion care, and calls for the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ABOG) to revoke her certification.
Dr. Lincoln, a well-known advocate for evidence-based reproductive care, shared the complaint publicly on Instagram, citing several major concerns that are especially alarming in a post-Roe v. Wade America.
1. False Claims About Abortion Being “Never Medically Necessary”
Dr. Skop has repeatedly stated that abortion is “never medically necessary.” This contradicts the consensus of major medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). In reality, abortion can be life-saving in cases such as ectopic pregnancies, severe infections, or organ failure.
Such statements mislead the public and influence laws that restrict access to essential care.
2. Claiming 9-Year-Olds Can Safely Give Birth
One of the most shocking claims from Dr. Skop is that 9-year-old girls can safely carry pregnancies to term. The Guardian reported on her appointment to a state maternal mortality committee after she made this assertion.
Medical experts strongly disagree. According to the World Health Organization, young adolescents are at significantly higher risk of life-threatening complications, including obstructed labor, fistulas, and even death.
3. Spreading Misinformation in Government Hearings
In 2021, Dr. Skop testified before Congress claiming there was not enough data on abortion-related deaths. This was quickly shut down by another OB-GYN, Dr. Ghazaleh Moayedi, who cited robust federal data proving otherwise.
4. Promoting Dangerous Misinformation About Abortion Pills
Dr. Skop has also claimed that mifepristone, a commonly used medication in medical abortion, is dangerous and weakens the immune system. This contradicts decades of global data, which show that mifepristone is both safe and effective.
5. Plagiarism and Retracted Research
Dr. Skop’s credibility has been further damaged by academic misconduct. She admitted in court that she often copied language from other authors without attribution, a practice that experts say qualifies as plagiarism.
Additionally, a paper she co-authored was retracted for "unsupported assumptions" and "lack of scientific rigor."
6. Texas Controversy: Skipping Post-Roe Maternal Deaths
Dr. Skop was controversially appointed to Texas’ Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, despite practicing in a major city and not a rural area (the role she was appointed under). This committee later decided not to review maternal deaths from 2022 and 2023, the first years after Texas passed some of the nation’s most extreme abortion bans—a decision that’s sparked widespread backlash (source).
Why This Matters
Medical professionals are held to high standards to protect patients and public health. When a board-certified doctor spreads disinformation, especially in politically sensitive areas like abortion, it undermines trust in the medical field and can lead to harmful policies.
Dr. Lincoln argues that revoking Dr. Skop’s certification would be a step toward restoring integrity in women’s healthcare and ensuring evidence—not ideology—drives care.
ReferencesACOG. "Abortion is Health Care."Business Insider. "OBGYN Called Out for Spreading Misinformation in Congress."The Guardian. "Texas doctor who said 9-year-olds can give birth joins maternal mortality committee."ACLU. "Junk Science in Abortion Court Cases."NY Post. "Publisher retracts anti-abortion study before Supreme Court case."Texas Tribune. "Texas skips maternal deaths review for 2022–23."
