NY Doctor Indicted for Mailing Abortion Pills

A New York doctor, Dr. Margaret Carpenter, has been indicted in Louisiana for allegedly sending abortion pills to a teenager, potentially marking the first criminal charge against a provider for mailing abortion medication since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

The Case:

The indictment charges Dr. Carpenter with criminal abortion, a felony in Louisiana, which has a near-total abortion ban. The teenager's mother was also indicted.

New York's Response:

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has vowed to protect Dr. Carpenter and will not comply with an extradition request. She called the case "outrageous" and an attempt to restrict reproductive care nationwide. New York's shield law protects doctors who provide abortion care to patients in states with abortion bans.

Louisiana's Stance:

Louisiana considers abortion medication "controlled dangerous substances", making it a crime to access them without a prescription. The state's Attorney General stated they will "hold individuals accountable for breaking the law".

National Implications:

This case highlights the legal battle over abortion access following the Roe v. Wade reversal. The Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine, which Dr. Carpenter co-founded, condemned the indictment as a threat to women's reproductive healthcare. The medication in question is approved by US regulators and deemed safe and effective.

The Bigger Picture:

Abortion pills now account for nearly two-thirds of abortions in the US. This case underscores the ongoing conflict between states with differing abortion laws and the implications for healthcare providers.