April 25, 2023

Court Suspends Enforcement of Colorado Abortion Pill Reversal Ban

On April 22, a federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement of a Colorado law that would prohibit pro-life doctors from using abortion pill reversal (APR).

Pro-abortion Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed the bill into law on April 14. If enforced, it would threaten healthcare providers with disciplinary action if they provide APR to patients. APR would be considered "unprofessional conduct" according to state medical agencies until they meet to determine whether APR meets a "generally accepted standard of medical practice."

Judge Daniel Domenico placed a temporary stay on the enforcement of Colorado's APR ban after a lawsuit from the Catholic healthcare clinic Bella Health. The clinic argued that the law violates its First Amendment rights and religious freedoms.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser later revealed to the court that state medical and nursing boards have chosen not to enforce the ban until at least September when those boards complete a rule-making process regarding the regulation of APR.

APR can reverse the effects of the abortion pill mifepristone, potentially saving the preborn child's life if taken within 48 hours after mifepristone. Mifepristone kills an unborn child by disrupting the pregnancy hormone progesterone. This hormone helps facilitate the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the preborn child. By disrupting this flow, mifepristone kills the child through starvation and asphyxiation.

APR counteracts mifepristone by simply administering more progesterone. Progesterone is already prescribed by doctors to help women facing medically difficult pregnancies. This supplementary progesterone can restore the flow of oxygen and nutrients to preborn children and save lives.