Illinois among first states where women can pick up prescription abortion pill

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Tonight, two sides to the abortion issue are battling it out in Wisconsin, after the nation's largest pharmacies announced they'll soon be accepting prescriptions for abortion pills. It's a drug Wisconsin's already familiar with.

The drug is called mifepristone. For years, women have had access to it at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, but only under the watchful eye of a physician.

Mifepristone first received FDA approval for 24 years ago.

"So, we know it's a safe and effective way that millions of people nationally access abortion care," said Michelle Velasquez, Chief Strategy Officer, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.

Doctors have been in the room when a woman ingested the abortion pill, but now, Walgreens and CVS Health are giving women the ability to pick up an abortion pill with a prescription at the pharmacy and take it home.

"And it's just damaging to see any safeguards for women removed in the pursuit of giving easy access to the abortion pill," said Gracie Skogman, Legislative and PAC Director, Wisconsin Right to Life.

Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, which is needed to sustain a pregnancy. Wisconsin Right to Life fears complications can result, especially when a doctor isn't present.

"The chemical abortion process is four times more concerning for women because we see many, many more medical issues that arise.  Many women unfortunately can have bleeding and complications at home. So, taking out that in-person medical requirement is deeply concerning to us," said Skogman.

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin's been using mifepristone as part of a two-drug regimen to terminate a pregnancy, but it's a process starting with an in-person visit, then a return visit 24 hours later to the same doctor who must be present when the patient receives the abortion pill.

"Our state law just doesn't allow us to use things like telemedicine or send a prescription over to the local CVS, so it's frustrating to not be able to provide that care for patients," said Velasquez.

Wisconsin is not on the list where Walgreens and CVS Health plan to start filling those prescriptions, but Illinois is.

"There are certainly going to be some patients who may end of deciding that driving to Illinois and getting care there is just easier because there are less hoops to jump through," said Velasquez.

The cut-off period is eleven weeks gestation. That has Wisconsin Right to Life concerned.

"Because what we're really talking about is women who may not be aware of how far along in pregnancy they are they may not be aware of complications when that medical provider is removed from the equations. The chemical abortion process is four times more concerning for women because we see many, many more medical issues that arise. Many women unfortunately can have bleeding and complications at home. So, taking out that in-person medical requirement is deeply concerning to us," said Skogman.

"Abortion is healthcare and we should treat it like we treat all other health care and allow people to make decisions for their health," said Velasquez.