La. Senate Panel Passes Bill Requiring Doctors To Be Present for Medication Abortions
April 19, 2013 — A Louisiana Senate committee on Wednesday advanced a bill (SB 90) that would prohibit the use of telemedicine during medication abortion care, the Baton Rouge Advocate reports (Millhollon, Baton Rouge Advocate, 4/17).
The bill states that a doctor must be "in the physical presence of the pregnant woman when the drug or chemical is initially administered." It also would require abortion providers to be board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and increase state fines the Health Department may levy against clinics that violate regulations (AP/77Square, 4/16).
State Sen. Fred Mills (R) -- the bill's sponsor -- said he is not aware of any abortion providers in the state who use telemedicine. He said the bill would not affect emergency contraception.
The measure was introduced as Planned Parenthood conducts a fundraising campaign to build a new health center in New Orleans. Melissa Flournoy, state director for the organization, said it has never provided abortions in the state but plans to at the new health center (Baton Rouge Advocate, 4/17).
The information contained in this publication reflects media coverage of women’s health issues and does not necessarily reflect the views of the National Partnership for Women & Families.
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The Editors
Debra Ness, publisher & president, National Partnership
Andrea Friedman, associate editor & director of reproductive health programs, National Partnership
Marya Torrez, associate editor & senior reproductive health policy counsel, National Partnership
Melissa Safford, associate editor & policy advocate for reproductive health, National Partnership
Perry Sacks, assistant editor & health program associate, National Partnership
Cindy Romero, assistant editor & communications assistant, National Partnership
Justyn Ware, editor
Amanda Wolfe, editor-in-chief
Heather Drost, Hanna Jaquith, Marcelle Maginnis, Ashley Marchand and Michelle Stuckey, staff writers
Tucker Ball, director of new media, National Partnership
