New Law to Protect Abortion Pill Prescribers Signed by Governor Hochul
Background
On September 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new bill into law to help protect doctors who provide abortion pills to individuals in other states. This move comes after a grand jury in Louisiana indicted a New York doctor for allegedly prescribing drugs to end a pregnancy.
The Indictment
The doctor, a constituent of Senator Michelle Hinchey and a family friend, was accused of prescribing abortion medication via telehealth to a minor in Louisiana. Louisiana has some of the strictest abortion laws in the country, and an arrest warrant has been issued for the doctor.
The New Law
The new law allows providers to request that pharmacies print only the healthcare practice’s name, not the doctor’s name, on prescriptions for medications such as mifepristone and misoprostol. This change is aimed at protecting the identities of doctors who provide these medications, which are often used to treat miscarriages and other medical conditions.
Assemblymember Karines Reyes’ Perspective
Assemblymember Karines Reyes, who sponsored the legislation, emphasized that this issue is not just about abortion. “If a woman is experiencing a miscarriage, this is the treatment for it,” she said. “So, in other states, while women are suffering, often times because of no fault of their own, there is no healthcare that can be offered to them in states that are prohibiting and criminalizing abortion.”
Future Amendments
The governor and legislature plan to amend the new law to allow the name of the practice to also be removed from the prescription label, only allowing its address to be shown. This additional change is intended to further protect the identities of doctors who provide these medications.
Conclusion
Governor Hochul’s signing of this bill is a significant step towards ensuring that doctors who provide abortion pills can do so without fear of retribution or retaliation. The new law is a crucial step towards protecting the rights of women and healthcare providers, particularly in states where abortion is heavily restricted or criminalized.
FAQs
* What is the new law about?
The new law allows providers to request that pharmacies print only the healthcare practice’s name, not the doctor’s name, on prescriptions for medications such as mifepristone and misoprostol.
* Why was this law necessary?
This law was necessary to protect the identities of doctors who provide abortion pills, which are often used to treat miscarriages and other medical conditions.
* What are the next steps for this law?
The governor and legislature plan to amend the new law to allow the name of the practice to also be removed from the prescription label, only allowing its address to be shown.
* What does this mean for women’s healthcare?
This law is a crucial step towards protecting the rights of women and healthcare providers, particularly in states where abortion is heavily restricted or criminalized.
