Abortion pills will be center of next legal battles
In the fight over reproductive rights, medication abortion is emerging as the next legal battleground.
Medication abortion — a combination of two drugs that end a pregnancy — is the most common form of abortion in the
“It’s very safe and effective, and you can do it in the privacy of your home” if used within 10 weeks, said attorney
But Republican-led states are moving to re
strict or even ban access to the drugs, which are approved by the
Moments after the
“States may not ban mifepristone based on disagreement with the FDA’s expert judgment about its safety and efficacy,” said
There is no guarantee that the Biden administration will prevail. The courts may side with the conservative states, noting that even though the drugs have been proven safe and effective, they still induce abortions illegal under the laws of those states, said
“This
Here are some questions and answers about medication abortion.
Q: How does medication abortion work?
A: It’s a combination of two medications, taken one to two days apart. When used within 10 weeks, the combination is up to 98% effective.
The first is a pill called mifepristone, or Mifiprex, which blocks the hormone that allows a pregnancy to grow. Some people may experience vaginal spotting or bleeding or even light cramping
The second is a tablet called misoprostol, or Cytotec, which causes the cervix to dilate and the uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy. It causes uterine cramping and on-and-off bleeding for a few days to weeks.
Q: How is it different from a “morning after pill,” such as Plan B?
A: Plan B is emergency contraception that is taken within the first 72 hours after unprotected sex. It contains a hormone that prevents pregnancy by delaying or preventing ovulation.
Q: Is medication abortion legal in
A: Yes. Many
Because abortion care is considered basic health care, most insurance plans must cover it.
A: I’m in
Q: Yes.
Q: If I live in a state where medical abortion isn’t legal, can I come to
A: Presumably. While some states are acting to interfere with the right to travel out of state for reproductive services, most attorneys say that freedom of movement between states is constitutionally protected.
In Friday’s
Q: I live in a state that bans abortion and can’t travel to
A: No. Doctors who are licensed in
If your state bans access, you would have to travel to
Q: I don’t live in a state where abortion is legal. Is there a way to get these online pills without traveling?
A: It is technically illegal for Americans to order prescription drugs from overseas. However, the federal government has limited ability to restrict mail-order prescriptions.
Aid Access, founded by
Q: I’m a
A: A prescription drug is meant for you, not for someone else. But proof of pregnancy is not required and some doctors provide it to women who are not pregnant under an “advance provision,” so that it is in their medicine cabinet in the event of pregnancy.
Q: Can I drive across state lines and distribute the drugs in a banned state or mail the drugs to someone out of state?
A: At your risk. If you travel from
As far as mail, It is particularly hard to regulate mail delivery. The
“There’s going to be a ‘gray area’ between what’s legal, what’s enforceable, and what people feel comfortable doing,” said Sobel. “There’s going to be a different risk assessment for different people.”
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