Arizona's New Abortion Law Survives Injunction, Takes Two Weeks Off Women's Abortion Decision
ByWomen in the state of Arizona lost two weeks in their decision to use an abortion drug, according to a court case decided Monday. While the rest of the nation's women are able to take the drug, RU-486, nine weeks into term, those in Arizona can't take it past their seventh week, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The law restricting the drug's use had actually been passed in 2012, but it wasn't projected to go into effect until Monday. In the meantime, pro-choice organizations across the state, including Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproduction Rights, fought the decision. The Center for Reproduction Rights officially backed the lawsuit that was rejected yesterday. Even so, they'll continue to oppose a law they believe puts women at greater risk.
"This law serves no purpose other than to prevent Arizona women from using a safe alternative to surgical abortion and force their doctors to follow an outdated, riskier and less effective method," David Brown, a lawyer with the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement. "This is what happens when politicians, not doctors, practice medicine."
The state argued that two weeks was only a small shift in policy.
"The court finds that the injunction is not in the public interest," the judge ruled.
Arizona is in the midst of potentially passing another controversial abortion law that would allow state authorities to inspect clinics without warning or a warrant. Its intent is to ensure facilities are always up to code. Detractors claim it's a violation of privacy.