Since federal appeals courts have issued differing opinions on how RU-486 is used for abortions, the Supreme Court has been asked to make a solid decision on the matter.
When Arizona passed a law requiring the abortion drug to be used according to protocols issued by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), Planned Parenthood objected and filed suit, and the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the state. So now, Arizona is asking the Supreme Court to settle the issue.
Josh Kredit, an attorney for the Center for Arizona Policy, tells OneNewsNow lawmakers and the FDA are simply trying to protect women.
"In 2010, [the FDA's] website was updated, and it still says you can only use [RU-486] according to these ways," Kredit cites. "That's exactly what the legislature has said … it's in our interests and the interests of protecting the public safety for women and preborn children in Arizona, so you should do it according to the FDA protocol. And that's really all we're doing."
Kredit explains that if the Supreme Court accepts the case, the impact will reach beyond Arizona's borders.
"Texas has had this exact law upheld by the Fifth Circuit," the attorney notes. "The Sixth Circuit has upheld Ohio's same law. And so given the circuit split and the fact that the Ninth Circuit is the most overruled circuit in the nation, we're hopeful that the Supreme Court will step in and come down with a uniform policy and really come on the side of women with saying that this is completely okay."
Kredit reiterates that the safety issue is important. According to the National Right to Life Committee, one in 100 patients using the drug had to be hospitalized, and eight percent of those suffered incomplete abortions.
Charlie Butts (OneNewsNow.com)
