- The FDA announced a rule change that will allow people using telemedicine to order abortion pills by mail instead of being required to visit a doctor’s office or clinic.
- The policy change will be in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Many U.S. states, however, have strict rules prohibiting the use of telemedicine appointments for abortion in any form. Those laws will remain in effect.
- Many health experts hope the rule change will become permanent and expand access to abortion care.
- Medication abortion was first approved by the FDA in 2000 and is considered to be as safe and effective as surgical options.
People seeking abortion care can order abortion pills by mail for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials announced April 13.
Previously, people were required to pick up abortion medication in person at a doctor’s office, health clinic, or hospital, which, for some, meant traveling long distances.
The policy change was revealed in a letter sent to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
The decision counters a Supreme Court decision made earlier this year that required people to pick up the pills in person and sign a form that included information about the risks associated with medication abortion.
Research shows that medication abortions are safe, and there are no greater safety concerns for those who have accessed the pills through telehealth as opposed to an in-person medical visit.
The new policy will allow people seeking abortion care to safely and effectively end their pregnancies at home without potentially exposing themselves to the coronavirus at a clinic or doctor’s office.
Though the decision is temporary, abortion care providers hope the move will help permanently improve how people access and afford abortion care.
Source: healthline