Mind Uncharted Explore. Discover. Learn.
US Government Appeals Court to Halt Abortion Pill Order
The Trump administration has filed an appeal to prevent patients from receiving medication abortions without a doctor’s visit during the Covid-19 pandemic. The appeal was filed just days after a federal judge ruled that the government must suspend the in-person requirement for patients to obtain mifepristone, also known as the abortion pill. Judge Theodore Chuang cited the potential risk of Covid-19 exposure as the reasoning for his decision.
The appeal will now be heard by the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The government argues that the judge’s order creates a public health risk by allowing patients to obtain the medication without proper medical supervision. The Justice Department has also warned that the drug should only be administered under the supervision of a healthcare provider due to potential complications.
What is Mifepristone?
Mifepristone, sold under the brand name Mifeprex, is a medication used in combination with misoprostol to terminate early pregnancies. The medication works by blocking the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for pregnancy to continue. Mifepristone has been available in the United States since 2000 and is approved for use through the tenth week of pregnancy.
Implications of the Ruling and Appeal
The ruling by Judge Theodore Chuang marked a significant victory for abortion rights advocates who have long argued that the in-person requirement for obtaining medication abortions is medically unnecessary and places an undue burden on patients. The appeal by the government, however, raises questions about the potential impact of a ruling against medication abortions on other telemedicine services, particularly as the Covid-19 pandemic continues.
Abortion rights organizations argue that patients, particularly those in rural areas, may face insurmountable obstacles to accessing reproductive healthcare without the option of medication abortions via telemedicine services. The American Medical Association has also voiced support for increased access to telemedicine services during the pandemic, arguing that remote care can help protect patients and providers from Covid-19 exposure while maintaining necessary medical care.
