New York governor signs law protecting doctors who prescribe abortion pills

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, recently signed a bill into law that aims to protect the identities of doctors who prescribe abortion drugs. This decision comes after a New York physician, Margaret Carpenter, was indicted for prescribing abortion pills to a pregnant minor in Louisiana.

The new law, which took effect immediately, allows doctors’ names to be omitted from abortion pill bottles. Instead, the bottles will display the name of the healthcare practices they work for. This measure is intended to prevent situations like the one in Louisiana, where authorities were able to identify the doctor involved through the medication label.

Hochul made it clear that she would not sign an extradition request to send Carpenter to Louisiana. The case against Carpenter is significant as it appears to be the first time a doctor has been charged for providing abortion pills to a patient in another state since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022.

In Louisiana, where there is a near-total ban on abortions, physicians could face severe penalties if convicted of performing abortions, including through medication. This includes up to 15 years in prison, fines of $200,000, and the loss of their medical license.

District Attorney Tony Clayton, who is handling the Louisiana case, indicated that Carpenter’s arrest warrant is nationwide. This means that she could potentially be arrested in states with strict abortion laws, including those led by Republican governors.

Hochul also mentioned plans to introduce additional legislation that would require pharmacists to honor doctors’ requests to exclude their names from prescription labels. This move is aimed at further protecting the identities of healthcare providers involved in prescribing abortion drugs.

In a related development, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton previously filed a lawsuit against Carpenter over allegations that she provided abortion pills to a woman in Texas. However, criminal charges were not pursued in that particular case.

Overall, the signing of this new law by Gov. Hochul reflects a commitment to safeguarding the privacy and anonymity of doctors who provide abortion services. It is a step towards ensuring that healthcare providers can carry out their duties without fear of repercussions or scrutiny.