North Carolina court strikes down restrictions on in-home chemical abortions 

null / Credit: Ivanko80/Shutterstock

CNA Staff, Jun 6, 2024 / 15:00 pm (CNA).

Here’s a look at abortion-related developments that took place in Washington, D.C., and in various U.S. states this week. 

North Carolina blocks some restrictions, affirms others

A federal judge ruled to remove the requirement that women have three in-person doctor visits before receiving a chemical abortion drug. The judge approved at-home chemical abortions and allowed any North Carolina health care provider to prescribe the abortion pills.

The decision also removes reporting requirements for nonfatal complications from abortion drugs. U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles upheld some protections such as requiring an in-person consultation, examination, and ultrasound before obtaining a prescription for the drugs required for chemical abortions.

While abortion advocates have hailed this as a victory, Christian organization North Carolina Values says the ruling may put women at risk by allowing “dangerous DIY in-home abortions” and put women at risk of forced chemical abortions, when abortion pills are smuggled into a mother’s drink without her knowledge or consent.

Abortions decrease by 98% in Indiana 

The Indiana court heard closing arguments Friday from Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers that are seeking to expand medical exemptions for abortion and allow abortions to be performed in abortion clinics, not just hospitals.

Pro-abortion advocates sued last June for similar reasons, but the Indiana Supreme Court determined that the law did not violate the state’s constitution. In Indiana, abortion is allowed in cases when the mother’s life is at risk or with serious health concerns up to 20 weeks of pregnancy, as well as in cases such as rape, incest, or fetal anomalies. Abortions can only be performed in hospitals.

According to an Indiana Department of Health report released May 31, the state saw a 98% decrease in abortions in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the first quarter of 2023, going from 1,931 abortions to 45. Indiana’s pro-life abortion law SEA1 was blocked through most of 2023. According to the report, more than half of abortions in 2024 were due to lethal fetal anomalies, while one abortion was due to rape. More than half were chemical abortions, and most abortions happened between 14 and 20 weeks of pregnancy.

House passes Veterans Affairs bill with pro-life protections

House Republicans approved a veterans’ funding bill with protections for life including prohibiting the Department of Veterans Affairs from offering abortion counseling.

The bill, which contains measures to fund military construction, housing, and Veterans Affairs, would also limit funding for abortion procedures for veterans and their beneficiaries in some cases.