The Department of Justice (DOJ) has urgently requested an appeals court to halt a ruling that would allow the distribution of abortion pills without in-person medical consultations. The ruling was made by a federal judge in Maryland in July, and the DOJ is now seeking to overturn it.
The ruling would allow healthcare providers to mail abortion pills to patients without requiring them to visit a clinic or hospital for an in-person consultation with a doctor. This would effectively remove the longstanding requirement for in-person consultations, which has been in place since the FDA approved the abortion pill in 2000.
The DOJ argues that the ruling would pose a significant risk to public health and safety. In its filing with the appeals court, the DOJ stated that “the district court’s injunction undermines FDA’s statutory authority to regulate the sale and distribution of prescription drugs, risks public health by removing important safety controls, and undermines public trust in the FDA’s drug approval process.”
The DOJ’s request for a stay on the ruling is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to restrict access to abortion. The administration has already implemented a number of policies aimed at limiting access to abortion, including a rule that prohibits clinics that receive federal funding from referring patients for abortions.
Opponents of the ruling argue that it is necessary to ensure that women have access to safe and effective abortion care, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. They argue that in-person consultations can be difficult or impossible for many women, particularly those who live in rural areas or who have limited access to transportation.
Proponents of the ruling argue that it is necessary to protect women’s health and safety. They argue that in-person consultations are necessary to ensure that women are properly informed about the risks and benefits of abortion, and that they are not coerced or pressured into making a decision that they may later regret.
The appeals court is expected to rule on the DOJ’s request for a stay in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the ruling remains in effect, and healthcare providers are able to distribute abortion pills without requiring in-person consultations. However, the legal battle over the ruling is likely to continue, as both sides are expected to appeal any adverse rulings.
