In late June, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a pro-abortion bill that protects abortion providers from punishment for mailing abortion pills to women in other states. The law allows abortionists to send these pills without the need for an in-person consultation or verifying the authenticity of the request. The governor stated that she is determined to ensure that these practices continue unimpeded. New York is known for having some of the most extreme pro-abortion laws in the country, including the repeal of the state’s fetal homicide law.
The new law in New York shields abortion providers from investigations or penalties for selling abortion pills through the mail to women in states where the practice is prohibited. It also prohibits cooperation with other states that are investigating illegal abortion practices. However, this expansion of mail-order abortion drugs raises concerns about the safety and well-being of women and unborn babies. These businesses often sell abortion pills without medical examination or verification of pregnancy, and the lack of an in-person visit to a doctor can pose risks if complications arise.
Similar bills have already been passed in states like Massachusetts, Colorado, Vermont, and Washington. Supporters of the abortion pill argue that it is safe enough to be taken without direct medical supervision. However, medical professionals have reported an increase in complications related to abortion pills, including emergency room visits. Studies have shown that the rate of abortion-related emergency visits has increased significantly over the years.
The FDA has associated the abortion drug mifepristone with numerous complications and at least 28 deaths. However, the FDA stopped requiring the reporting of non-fatal complications during the Obama administration. The approval and expansion of mifepristone as an abortion drug are currently being challenged in federal courts by doctors who argue that the drug’s safety has not been adequately studied. They also claim that the FDA violated federal law by allowing the drug to be sold through the mail without direct medical oversight.
The signing of this pro-abortion bill in New York highlights the ongoing debate surrounding mail-order abortion drugs and the potential risks they pose to women and unborn babies.