Aspiration abortions performed by trained nonphysicians are as safe as those done by physicians, report researchers in the March issue of the American Journal of Public Health. The five-year study compared rates of complications related to 5,675 abortions performed by NPs, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants with rates of complications related to 5,812 abortions performed by physicians. Most complications were minor. There were three major complications, such as uterine perforation, in each of the two provider groups. The results show that the types of providers who can safely perform early abortions could be expanded, which would improve abortion access, particularly for black, uninsured, and low-income women, who have less access to first-trimester abortions.