A New York doctor faces criminal charges in Louisiana for allegedly prescribing abortion pills online, highlighting the ongoing legal battles surrounding abortion access in the U.S. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, states have enacted stringent abortion bans, while medical providers navigate complex legal landscapes.
A New York doctor, Dr. Margaret Carpenter, has been indicted by a Louisiana grand jury on charges of prescribing abortion pills online in Louisiana, a state with one of the strictest near-total abortion bans in the U.S. The indictment, issued by the District Court for the Parish of West Baton Rouge, also names Carpenter's company, Nightingale Medical, PC, and a third person. All three face charges of criminal abortion by means of abortion-inducing drugs, a felony.
This case marks the first known instance of criminal charges against a doctor accused of sending abortion pills to another state since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, paving the way for states to enact stringent anti-abortion laws.Carpenter was sued by the Texas attorney general in December for similar allegations of sending abortion pills to Texas, but that case did not involve criminal charges. The indictment could serve as a crucial test of New York's shield laws, designed to protect prescribers who utilize telehealth to provide abortion pills to patients in states where abortion is prohibited.New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the indictment, stating, 'A doctor is being prosecuted for providing basic health care to her patient.' She emphasized the importance of states safeguarding reproductive freedom and pledged to continue fighting for it. Hochul signed legislation in 2023 shielding doctors from out-of-state lawsuits. New York Attorney General Letitia James echoed these sentiments, asserting that 'abortion care is health care' and condemning the 'cowardly attempt' by Louisiana to 'weaponize the law' against out-of-state providers.James stated that New York would stand firm in protecting providers' ability to deliver essential care, emphasizing the safety and necessity of medication abortion. Medication abortion has become the dominant method of abortion in the U.S., accounting for nearly two-thirds of all procedures by 2023. It remains a focal point of political and legal battles surrounding abortion access.The indictment follows Louisiana's enactment of a law reclassifying both mifepristone and misoprostol as 'controlled dangerous substances.' While the drugs remain legal, healthcare professionals must undergo additional procedures to obtain them. Under this legislation, possessing these drugs without a valid prescription could result in a fine of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for one to five years. The law, however, exempts pregnant women who obtain the drugs without a prescription for self-administration.Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Louisiana has had a near-total abortion ban, with no exceptions for rape or incest. Physicians convicted of performing an illegal abortion, including those using pills, face up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to $200,000, and the revocation of their medical licenses. The Abortion Coalition of Telemedicine, where Carpenter is a founder, expressed alarm, stating that the case exemplifies a 'disturbing pattern of interference with women's rights' and highlights the ongoing threat of violence and harassment against abortion providers in the U.S.
ABORTION TELEMEDICINE LAW LOUISIANA NEW YORK ROE V WADE
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New York Doctor Indicted in Louisiana for Sending Abortion PillsA New York doctor has been indicted by a Louisiana grand jury for allegedly prescribing abortion pills online in Louisiana, which has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country. This case marks a potential precedent for criminal charges against doctors accused of sending abortion pills across state lines.
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New York Doctor Indicted in Louisiana for Prescribing Abortion Pill OnlineA New York doctor, Dr. Margaret Carpenter, faces criminal charges in Louisiana for allegedly prescribing abortion pills online to patients in the state, which has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country. This case marks a potential turning point in the legal landscape surrounding abortion access since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
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New York doctor indicted for prescribing abortion pill in LouisianaA New York doctor has been indicted for prescribing the abortion pill in Louisiana. The state recently reclassified both mifepristone and misoprostol as “controlled dangerous substances.”
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New York Doctor Indicted in Louisiana for Prescribing Abortion Pills OnlineA New York doctor has been indicted in Louisiana for allegedly prescribing abortion pills online to patients in the state, which has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country. This case marks a potential landmark legal battle over access to abortion medication and the reach of state abortion laws.
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New York doctor indicted for prescribing abortion pill in LouisianaA New York doctor has been indicted by a Lousiana grand jury for allegedly prescribing an abortion pill online in the Deep South state, which has one of the strictest near-total abortion bans in the country.
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