More Than A Magazine, A Movement
In Massachusetts, Maine Family Planning is offering telemedicine abortion, operating under a research exception to the FDA restriction.
“The pandemic has really amplified all of the hurdles for folks getting abortions. Telemedicine can help eliminate some of those challenges, allowing people to get care at home. Telemedicine has really helped to make sure that people can access the services that they want.”
In this week’s installment, we catch readers up on the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic; help maneuver vaccine rollout; and, run down the national state of reproductive health, rights and care.
On Tuesday, in its first decision on abortion since Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation, the Supreme Court opted to reverse an order that allowed medication abortion-receivers to forego an in-person doctor’s visit in light of the pandemic.
“The FDA’s policy imposes an unnecessary, unjustifiable, irrational and undue burden on women seeking an abortion during the current pandemic,” wrote Justice Sotomayor in dissent.
On Tuesday, six members of the Supreme Court granted a Trump administration request to reinstate an FDA rule requiring patients seeking medication abortion to make an unnecessary in-person visit to their health care provider just to pick up the medication and sign a form.
What if someone with a late period could address a possible unwanted pregnancy without needing even to find out if a pregnancy test was positive?
It’s no surprise that many people facing a possible unwanted pregnancy would prefer missed period pills over confirming a pregnancy and opting to have an abortion.
The COVID-19 pandemic is transforming many aspects of our lives, and abortion is no exception. Telemedicine is expanding access to abortion healthcare in ways that are likely to persist long after the pandemic is over.
As 2020 draws to a close, Ms. is looking forwards towards the new year (and new administration!), and thinking about the most vital issues for feminists to be aware of — because there’s so much more work to be done.
With this in mind, we talked to some of our favorite feminists about their top priorities for issues the country is facing from the environment to reproductive rights to voting, and what changes they’re hoping for 2021.
In this edition of The Weekly Pulse: Poverty rates see the largest increase in 60 years while Congress debates COVID relief packages; updates on the coronavirus pandemic and vaccine; and, the repro rundown.
Telemedicine abortion startups are springing up across the country after a federal court in July temporarily suspended FDA restrictions on distribution of the abortion pill during the pandemic. In total, people in 19 states and Washington D.C. now have legal access to telemedicine abortion from a doctor within their state.
“This is a very safe early option. You can have a telemedicine appointment with a doctor in the comfort of your home and you get something mailed to your home. … To have that ability to be able to take care of yourself at home, I think that’s just an amazing service. And it should continue to be an option.”
A federal judge, citing the pandemic, had suspended a federal requirement that women seeking medication abortions pick up a pill in person.
