Exactly How Are Abortions Being Provided to Women in No Abortion States

What is unfolding in no-abortion states is so complicated and changing so rapidly it is hard to follow or understand. We know, of course, some women can travel to other states. But what is happening or will be happening to those who cannot.

One of the fascinating developments involves doctors who are retired or are nearing retirement. If there is a threat they might lose their licenses, they don't care. This has become a problem for states who want to prosecute. These states want to enforce their anti-abortion laws by intimidation, they don't really want to spend money prosecuting. The link is about a doctor who is not intimidated. She is providing abortion through medicine in states where it is illegal. She is located in another state. She has seemingly violated laws but has not been prosecuted.

The long link leaves one without a clear view of what the laws are about interstate medical services. As I understand it, if a doctor provides an abortion in a state were that is against the law them moves to another state, the second state is obligated to return the doctor to the first state for prosecution. But, if the doctor assists a medicine abortion in the prohibited state remotely and never enters the state, will the state where she lives extradite her to the no abortion state for prosecution? 

In our paper here this morning was a story about a clinic in Arizona which has what was referred to as a "work around," meaning a way to work around Arizona's anti-abortion law.  The clinic conforms with state law but a doctor in California takes care of patients by telemedicine. The patient will drive to the California border to pick up the abortion pills. Forced-birth politicians in Arizona, of course, will try to stop this. Arizona women need to be punished for having sex. Giving birth will teach them a lesson. The link concludes huge conflicts between states lies ahead. I don't see equal rights states turning over doctors for prosecution to red neck states.

Some ironies are emerging about efforts to force women to give birth. One is that forced birth operatives have been successful at pushing abortions out of larger surgical centers where they would best be performed. Most abortions are performed mostly in small clinics. These, it is turning out, are better at working out clever ways to circumvent forced-birth laws.

Another irony is the forced-birth laws affect mostly poor women. This segment of society has always had to operate, to some degree, outside the law. Whether we are talking about whiskey stills in the mountains or the drug trade in cities, people with no alternatives figure it out. They will find ways to get abortions as well.  

The link predicts standoff between neighboring states over abortion. Without agreement on religion, that is our future.