The Louisiana House has approved legislation making it a crime to possess two abortion-inducing drugs without a prescription. But doctors are concerned reclassifying mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled dangerous substances could delay reproductive care. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman expressed her frustration.
“We have the worst maternal outcomes in the Nation. We are 50th. And the reason I came to this Capitol is to not be 50th in everything,” Freeman said.
Louisiana would be the first state to classify these abortion inducing pills as controlled dangerous substances. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson explains why it’s necessary.
“I totally understand and agree that there’s a lot of good uses for these medications. But if overutilized, they can be incredibly harmful and cause death,” Emerson said.
More than 200 doctors have expressed their opposition to the bill because they say the drugs are needed to treat miscarriages or stop hemorrhaging after childbirth. Freeman accused supporters of putting the interests of the anti-abortion group Louisiana Right to Life over medical experts.
“I’m sorry that you can’t see what the doctors have come to us to tell us. Because if you believe in the right to life, you would believe in maternal outcomes being the best for the women of this State,” Freeman said.
But the bill’s author, Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly, says the drugs are still available, but a prescription will now be required to use them for legitimate medical uses, except for abortions.
Emerson made that point during debate on the House floor.
“I’m definitely aware that both of these drugs are used for other purposes. The only purpose that they’re not allowing to be used for is the State of Louisiana’s elective abortions,” Emerson stated.
The bill was filed because Pressly’s former brother-in-law in Texas received a light sentence when he was convicted for trying to end his sister’s pregnancy by slipping the abortion inducing drugs into her drinks.
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